Florida detectives have nowhere to turn to
No alternative office space arrangements have been made
The councillor for Ward 70, Caleb Finn, arranged an oversight visit to the Florida detectives offices recently.
The councillor was joined by the Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament, Dennis Ryder, who was dismayed to to find that the 44 detectives working from these offices were due to be out on the streets as of 1 March.
According to Finn, the landlord of the building gave the appropriate notice last year, “He then proceeded with the renovation of the building, in terms of the expired lease, resulting in the detectives having to work on a building site.”
He added that the Station Management had been in constant communication with their provincial structures as well as the Department of Public Works since the notice was received, but they have not been advised of their future arrangements.
“The Department of Public Works recently published a tender for office accommodation for the detectives, but, because of the timelines required for the tender process to run its course, the detectives will be left out on the street,” Finn said.
Ryder added that this failure was not only an insult to the detectives and the Florida Police Station, but also to all South Africans who merely want to get through their daily lives with assurance that the criminal justice system is protecting them.
“I have escalated this matter and urged the Department of Public Works to urgently ensure suitable temporary office accommodation arrangements are made for for the detectives, until such time time as a tender can be appropriately awarded,” he said.
Finn confirmed that the Department of Public Works has approved an emergency renewal of the lease for one month, whilst they look for alternatives, “This is not the best solution, as the detectives will now have to continue working on a construction site.”
