This as Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, was opening a new police station at Phaudi village outside Polokwane in Limpopo province.

The new police station will serve over 30 villages.

Human Rights Commissioner, Sandra Makoasha, says police stations must be the first pillar of protection of human rights for residents.

“Crime inherently is a violation of human rights. The building of police stations means the government has taken a stance against crime and wants to protect the citizens of SA and we acknowledge that. We also acknowledge that far-flung communities that do not have police stations nearby have to travel hundreds of kilometers and bringing them closer means those of who have crime have easy access and quick response of the police. We hope that if it is a state of the art, it also includes spaces for victims of Gender-based Violence to report their cases with privacy and dignity,” says Makoasha.

--SABC--