In a major step toward making police services more accessible to under-resourced areas, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli officially handed over four state-of-the-art mobile Community Service Centres (CSCs) to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday, 5 August .
The handover ceremony, held at the Mayville Public Works offices, was welcomed warmly by Major General Makhoba, who accepted the units on behalf of the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The event was also attended by MEC for Public Works Martin Meyer and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
This milestone intervention follows a series of community engagements where residents raised serious concerns about the lack of local police stations and the long distances they must travel to access critical policing services.
Speaking at the handover, Premier Ntuli said the initiative reflects decisive action and strong collaboration between all spheres of government.
“At the heart of these efforts is the need to strengthen the operational capacity of SAPS, especially in communities vulnerable to violent crime,” said Ntuli. “These are not just vehicles — they are fully equipped mobile service points with advanced communication technology, holding facilities, and other critical resources that bring policing directly to the people.”
Each mobile unit, valued at over R1.7 million, forms part of a R6.8 million investment aimed at bolstering safety infrastructure across the province. The units will be strategically deployed to crime hotspots such as Inanda, Makhutha, Kwambonambi and Bulwer, — areas that have seen high levels of crime, including hijackings, rape, and murder.
The mobile CSCs are expected to significantly increase police visibility, reduce response times, and most importantly, build public confidence in law enforcement. Premier Ntuli said this move aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that infrastructure supporting law enforcement is fit for purpose and reaches all citizens, regardless of geography.
“This is a promise I made when I took office — to provide concrete support to the police service and invest in the tools they need to succeed. It complements the national SAPS recruitment drive which has trained over 5,500 new police trainees for the 2025 financial year,” he added.
Ntuli also stressed that the fight against crime cannot be won by law enforcement alone, calling on civil society, community policing forums, faith-based organisations, and ordinary citizens to play a role in creating safer communities.
“The strength of our response to crime lies in our unity. As we hand over these mobile units, we send a clear message — that we are serious, committed, and determined to create communities where our people can live and raise their families free from fear.”
The Premier concluded by encouraging the private sector to support community safety structures and by reaffirming government’s commitment to delivering safety and security to every corner of KwaZulu-Natal.
The handover was described by many in attendance as a meaningful step forward in addressing service delivery gaps and restoring trust in the justice system — especially in marginalised and historically neglected communities.
