The South African Police Service is under scrutiny after the state of disrepair at the Algoa Park police barracks in Gqeberha was described as unacceptable by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, with R38 million required to restore residential blocks currently plagued by health and safety hazards.

Breakdown Of Urgent Repairs Needed

An assessment of the Gamtoos and Sterrenberg blocks at Algoa Park found severe neglect, including rat infestations, malfunctioning lifts and electrical systems, water outages, non-operational fire hydrants, and poor security. The Democratic Alliance (DA), following an oversight visit on 3 June 2026, reported buildings unfit for habitation and documented collapsing infrastructure, unsanitary living conditions, and mounting waste.

The DA’s intervention prompted Minister Macpherson to acknowledge the problem’s scale and commit to oversight, stating, “I regard the present condition of these facilities as unacceptable, particularly given that they provide residential accommodation to SAPS personnel and their families.” He confirmed that refurbishing both blocks would cost around R38 million—funds yet to be secured by SAPS.

Government Response And Next Steps

Minister Macpherson, responding to DA officials on 16 August 2026, reiterated his department’s commitment: “My office will continue to monitor the matter and the engagement with SAPS to ensure that the necessary refurbishment is progressed as soon as the funding requirements have been resolved.” The refurbishment remains on hold, dependent on SAPS securing the required budget.

The oversight process and national intervention have highlighted ongoing challenges in providing safe and dignified housing for law enforcement personnel. While Minister Macpherson’s involvement represents government attention at the highest level, no clear timeline for repairs has been established pending the SAPS’s budgetary decisions.

The issue remains unresolved as SAPS deliberates funding options, with ongoing monitoring promised by the Ministry of Public Works and further updates to follow as government processes advance.