Melikhaya Zagagana15 May 2024 | 10:25

WATCH: Khayelitsha's Makhaza Police Station officially opened

With the opening of the Makhaza Police Station, Khayelitsha now has four police stations serving the township.

WATCH: Khayelitsha's Makhaza Police Station officially opened

Makhaza police station, which, upon completion, will service the community of Khayelitsha. Picture: SAPS

CAPE TOWN - Hundreds of Makhaza residents gathered at the Makhaza Police Station in Khayelitsha to witness the opening of their new police station.

It's taken about two decades since the site was identified to build the station.

The need for one in the area was highlighted during the tenure of late former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Police Minister Bheki Cele and other high ranking officials attended the event on Thursday.

The Harare Police Station, which is more than 10km away, used to be the closest to Makhaza.

Delighted residents said they no longer had to wait until the next day to report a crime.

The chairperson of the African National Congress in the Dullah Omar region, Ndithini Tyhido, said this has been a long time coming.

“For me it took about interaction with four different ministers of police, in fact five different ministers of police, calling consistently, campaigning, protesting, petitioning, using every event to call for the police station in Makhaza.”

With the opening of the Makhaza Police Station, Khayelitsha now has four police stations serving the township.