Middledrift – Police in the Eastern Cape are searching for the arsonists that set alight the Middledrift Police Station in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.
The devastating fire, which occurred in the early hours of Monday (10 February 2025), destroyed the building that housed detectives, administrators, archives, and case dockets.
Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha said, “fortunately, critical information such as DNA and ballistic results were unaffected” because they were stored elsewhere.
On Thursday, (13 February 2025), MEC Nqatha conducted an oversight visit at the station, accompanied by senior management from the SA Police Service and members of the Community Policing Forum.
MEC Nqatha condemned the arson attack and appealed to community members to assist the police in identifying those responsible for the arson.
“The torching of this police station is a direct attack on the state,” said MEC Nqatha.
“The police are working tirelessly to find those behind this heinous crime.
“We urge community members to report anyone involved in the burning of this police station so they can be arrested and held accountable for their actions.”
MEC Nqatha said police investigators believe the fire was caused by a petrol bomb thrown at the building.
However, the investigation is still underway, and a case of arson has been opened at the station.
