MDANTSANE - Once a well-resourced police station where officers carried out their duties but today the Fort Jackson SAPS building in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape has become a haven for criminal activity.
Criminals have taken over the building, vandalising offices that were meant to benefit the people of Mdantsane and surrounding areas.
This has left Mdantsane residents questioning how a government-owned building intended to strengthen policing could be allowed to deteriorate while crime escalates.
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According to the community crime organisation, the Buffalo City Special Team Task Force, criminals have had easy access to the building since a taxi crashed into the perimeter fence earlier this year.
The full extend of the damage remains unclear, however police suspect opportunists trashed the premises after hours.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa said following the incidents, cases were opened, and arrests were made.
"The cases are currently before court, and the suspects are out on bail,”she said.
Measures are being put in place to deploy police units that will utilise the building on a 24-hour basis to safeguard it.
eNCA's Ronald Masinda filed this report.