This is after a police officer was tied up and guns and ammunition were stolen at the Tsineng Police Station in the Northern Cape over the weekend. 

"It is reported that at around 21h40 last night, three unknown male suspects entered the station, jumped over the counter, and pointed a firearm at the officer on duty, demanding that she hands over all available firearms and the keys to the safe,” says Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo.

"These suspects took with them three R5 rifles with two magazines and 37 rounds of ammunition, two 12bore pump actions with 103 rounds of ammunition, eight 9mm pistols with five magazines, and 98 rounds of ammunition.”

Mamabolo says criminals are taking advantage of the fact that police stations, especially in rural areas and townships, are under-resourced. 

He said most of the police stations in these areas are understaffed and have a shortage of resources. 

"At the time of this unfortunate robbery, only two officers were on duty, with one of them having gone out to patrol, and the other being stationed at the station. It is particularly concerning that for an area with a population of 23 000 residents with 43 villages, the station only has two police officers responsible for providing services to its residents.”

Popcru says there have been similar incidents in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

The union has called on the government to increase the police budget to ensure that these stations are given priority and officers do their job effectively. 

Jacaranda News