Makhaza gets new police station at cost of R23m - but it's a temporary structure

CAPE TOWN - Khayelitsha's newest police station cost R23 million, but it's only a temporary structure.

Police Minister Bheki Cele on Thursday officially opened the Makhaza Police Station that's been on the cards for about two decades.

Prior to this, the closest police station to the Makhaza community had been in Harare, more than ten kilometres away.

The police minister said that although the structure was only temporary for now, the Makhaza Police Station had all the services needed by the community.

The facility has access to 26 vehicles.

Cele has called on officers to be deployed there to serve the community with dignity.

"Women, children, and elderly must always find safety as they come here. Police, we are making a call, when a women comes to the police station having been abused, it’s the last place, don’t ask too many questions, drop everything."

The minister has promised the community a formal structure will be built in January.