Durban — A new Durban metro police station was launched at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) just weeks after the announcement of a turnaround strategy for it to become more competitive, commercially aggressive and profit-driven.
The new police station was launched to tackle crime in the vicinity of the venue which plays host to local and international events.
The Durban ICC said that the ranks of Durban’s men in blue have been swelled with the opening of a new eThekwini metro police station inside the Durban ICC.
The new police station will support metro police in their operations of safeguarding investors and people living, working and visiting the area. It will be able to respond quickly to busier crime areas in the precinct while giving the public easier access to metro police service.
eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda who unveiled a plaque and cut the ribbon to open the new police station, said the satellite police station could not have been launched at a better time.
“Durban is getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors to the city for the annual festive season holidays. The Durban ICC is also a hive of activity following the lifting of all Covid restrictions,” Kaunda said.
“We need to provide a safe environment for members of the public. Criminals must be aware that at least 200 metro police trainees will be deployed to the station at the Durban ICC.”
Kaunda also urged the new trainees not to be soft on criminals.
“You have a job to do. You must be tough on criminals and not let them get away.
“Visitors must feel confident that Durban is a safe city all through the year,” he said, adding, that a fleet of electric motorbikes that are “so silent that criminals will not hear them approaching” will be used.
Durban ICC chief executive Lindiwe Rakharebe said that the police presence in the vicinity of the award-winning convention centre, will give the assurance that the safety of visitors was a priority.
“We do not want to see events which contribute to the economy and create jobs, being cancelled because of crime,” Rakharebe said.
“When there are large business events at the Durban ICC, criminals see the delegates as soft targets. The new police station and the officers on patrol will be a strong deterrent,” she said.
Daily News