Water Police: Durban – Nongqai Vol 17 No 6

DURBAN BOROUGH POLICE: WATER POLICE: POINT POLICE STATION

Richard van Wyk

• The Point Police and adjacent Fire Station were built in 1902. The building features a striking Edwardian and asymmetrical Baroque Revival style, a design typical of prominent colonial-era municipal architecture.
• Durban Borough Police Era (1854–1936): Prior to national centralization, the Point was originally patrolled by the Durban Borough Police (established in 1854), who operated the port’s early Water Police.

Comments by Hennie Heymans

Richard van Wyk refers to the Point Water Police station manned initially by the Durban Borough Police – not by the South African Police at the “normal” Point Police Station.

I recall that the Natal Police later assumed this responsibility from the Borough Police. The function was subsequently taken over by the South African Police, who continued to police the harbour until the 1940s, when the South African Railways and Harbours Police became responsible for harbour policing. After the amalgamation of the SAR&H Police with the South African Police, the function again reverted to the South African Police, and today it is carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

1917 – When manned by the South African Police in white uniforms.

We have published some of the history of the Water Police in South Africa:

(NONGQAI VOL 9 NO 11B)