SAPS officers killed

Members of the SAPS.
Photo: GCIS / Flickr

SAPS’ Pretoria Criminal Record Centre shut down for alleged unpaid rent

The SAPS’ Criminal Record Centre was shut down to alleged unpaid rent – how could something like this happen?

SAPS officers killed

Members of the SAPS.
Photo: GCIS / Flickr

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) management has reassured South Africa about the unpaid rent at its Criminal Record Centre (CRC). The SAPS stated that it is currently working on interim measures. The aim is to ensure that service delivery at the CRC in Pretoria is not compromised.

Landlord closes SAPS CRC building

The closure of the building has been in place since Tuesday, 8 March. TimesLIVE reports that a notice was attached to the building by the landlord.  It reads:

“This building will be locked from 6am on March 8, 2022, until further notice due to unpaid rent.”

What is the CRC building?

The Bothongo West Plaza is based in the Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). It is the base of police officials from the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management component (CR & CSM).

The CR & CSM’s mandate is to give out criminal records, issue police clearance certificates and process fingerprint applications for firearms, among other things. Engagements to swiftly resolve the issues faced by the SAPS are ongoing.

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The organisation has taken measures to make sure that business continues. Members have been deployed to nearby Local Criminal Record Centres (LCRC) to provide services.

SAPS slams claims of rental payment arrears

The SAPS has confirmed that such services are not currently facing any rental payment arrears. It explained that rental payments are being handled by the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPWI).

“SAPS confirms that the Service is not in any rental payment arrears as rental payments are being dealt with by the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.”

Colonel Athlenda Mathe, SAPS

The police further acknowledge, in statement, the inconvenience that was caused by the building’s closure. It reassured the public that management is currently in talks with relevant authorities.

“The SAPS thus acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the closure of the building and assures members of the public that management is engaging with the relevant authorities with a view of finding an amicable solution between affected parties.”

Engagements are underway to ensure amicable solution is reached

The engagements involve finding harmonious solutions between the parties that have been impacted. Members of the public are being asked to forward applications to the Bothongo West Plaza’s main entrance.

Personnel will then collect the applications to make sure that these applications go through the right avenues and are processed by the SAPS.

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