A dead rat lies in a corridor at the police accommodation block
Image: BRANDON NEL
It’s a case of no clean sweep yet at the building where Nelson Mandela Bay police members live, as rats, heaps of rubbish, broken taps, maggots, collapsing ceilings and damaged doors continue to plague the seven-storey accommodation block.
And police bosses are at their wits’ end, now considering moving members out of the building.
The problem is not new.
About three months ago, IOL reported a serious rodent infestation at the Mount Road police complex, with rats damaging equipment, chewing electrical wiring, and even getting into and under staff vehicles, sometimes without being noticed until later.
The accommodation block sits on the same property as the Mount Road police station.
The station and the single quarters form one shared fenced government complex, with the accommodation building directly next to the station itself on the same site.
The property falls under the public works and infrastructure department, the government department responsible for managing and maintaining state-owned buildings such as police stations and official accommodation.
It previously said it had inspected the site and identified serious sanitation issues.
It also issued a prohibition notice in April last year, instructing that the area be properly cleaned before pest control operations could be implemented.
When IOL visited the accommodation block on Wednesday, nothing seemed to have changed.
Rubbish is strewn across the fifth-floor corridor of the building, with waste left in open areas and not disposed of in bins
Image: BRANDON NEL
Corridors were still filled with piled-up rubbish, a strong, unpleasant smell hung through parts of the building, and rats were seen in the building, including dead ones.
Some rooms were untidy and littered with trash, while fire alarm boxes were also found smashed, with some doors left with holes in them and others completely off their hinges.
Some taps were not working, while garbage was being dumped in corridors and on staircases.
Many empty alcohol bottles were also found lying around, though members are not allowed to drink in the building.
The mess, which is a shared facility where food is prepared and meals are cooked and eaten by members, was also closed and boarded up and cannot be used at all.
As a result, members have reportedly been making fires to cook food in their rooms instead.
The accommodation block is designated for male police members, yet women were also seen moving around the premises during the visit.
A rundown fridge is seen inside the police accommodation block, with dirt and mould spread across the floor around it
Image: BRANDON NEL
In response to questions, police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said management was aware of the conditions.
“[We] can confirm that we are well aware of the deteriorating conditions at the SAPS Mount Road barracks block,” he said.
Beetge said a shortage of cleaning staff has contributed to refuse building up faster than it can be removed.
He said the situation was made worse because the building was being used for more than one purpose, with parts of it also used as office space.
He said a deep clean and pest control operation was carried out in March, but conditions deteriorated again within about a month.
“After a period of one month, the situation has once again escalated to a point where management is considering vacating the police members for renovation and restoration purposes, as well as addressing individuals who have vandalised the property,” he said.
He said the process of addressing the situation was ongoing.
Public works and infrastructure spokesperson James de Villiers said it had been difficult to respond on time due to the week having two public holidays.
His response will be included once received.
IOL