The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found that 66 of 86 police stations in North West Province failed to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, citing overcrowding, poor infrastructure, staff and vehicle shortages, and inadequate detainee care between 2023 and 2025. The SAHRC’s report, released on 13 July 2026, also detailed similar failures in correctional facilities, raising concerns about systemic governance weaknesses and basic rights violations.

Key Findings Of The SAHRC Investigation

The SAHRC identified persistent issues across police stations and correctional centres, including dilapidated or unsafe detention cells and facilities lacking basic provisions. In some cases, the unsafe state of cells forced authorities to transfer detainees to neighbouring stations. Ten correctional facilities reportedly lacked maternity facilities, did not conduct fire drills, and struggled to provide adequate food supplies.

Shirley Mlombo, SAHRC manager in North West, stated, “As we were doing monitoring work, we kept picking up the same issues in those facilities. These included problems relating to infrastructure, overcrowding, vehicle shortages and staffing shortages, among others.” The commission concluded that these failings reflected deeper lapses in planning, maintenance, and accountability within the province’s law enforcement and correctional systems.

Official Response And Broader Implications

Colonel Adele Myburgh, North West police spokesperson, confirmed that SAPS had received the report and was developing remedial actions. “The South African Police Service in the North West has received the South African Human Rights Commission’s report on its detention facilities. The report is currently being reviewed, and remedial actions are being developed,” Myburgh said.

The findings highlight the ongoing challenges facing justice and public safety infrastructure in North West Province. Advocacy groups have previously raised concerns about conditions in police and correctional facilities, but the breadth of lapses confirmed by the latest SAHRC investigation underscores an urgent need for systemic reform. Local communities and detainees remain directly affected by these deficiencies, which undermine public trust and human rights protections.

Remedial action plans from SAPS and relevant correctional authorities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the SAHRC continues to monitor compliance and follow-up on its recommendations.