ALBERTON – Following serious allegations of abuse and assault of the homeless, against members of Alberton SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metro Police, the Alberton CPF and various security companies in Alberton, the following comments where received:
Alberton SAPS:
“We have noted with concern about the allegations made especially against the Police. No one is above the law, meaning whoever commits crime must be brought to book, being community member or the Police.
“The allegations made are of a serious nature and it needs to be reported for investigation as soon as possible. No member of the public must be refused to report a case. In case that happens the community may report that to the following officers, Station Commander Colonel P P Sekoma 082 558 2662, Vispol Commander Lieut Col M S Maswanganyi 082 461 3495, Detective Branch Commander Lieut Col S M Ntuli 082 334 6455 at any time and to HAC J van der Westhuizen during office hours at 011 861 6808 or email to GPEast-Rand Alberton-SAPS@saps.gov.za.
“The latter can be used for comments, suggestions and complaints even for tip offs.
“The aggrieved parties are therefore encouraged to come forward and report any crime committed against them. They can even report at other Police Stations if they do not want to come to Alberton SAPS. Help the Police to root out criminal elements by reporting crime and by doing so you will also be helping the next person. On the issue of evidence it is the duty of the Police to collect evidence on a reported case, the community must report the crime giving information that will assist the Police to investigate, being descriptions, colours, marks and so on. As Acting Station Commander Lieut Col Ntuli said the Police are ready to help let them come forward.”
*Statement from Sgt Phora Nkuna, Alberton SAPS spokesperson.
It would seem that some miscommunication took place between Jenni Bernard from Angels 4 Addicts and Alberton SAPS.
According to Jenni, the SAPS was supposed to come and takes statements on the day the RECORD interviewed the group of homeless. However, Lieut Col Ntuli, acting station commander at Alberton SAPS said that they were waiting for the group at the Alberton Detectives offices as arranged. Following up with Cornelia Rudman, involved in Angels 4 Addicts, she informed the RECORD that after the initial miscommunication, an arrangement was made for statements to be taken at the detectives’ branch on Tuesday (August 4).
Contrary to this, Jenni said: “This is total nonsense as no mention was made of George Corrie (Detectives Branch). She (the colonel who was supposed to take the statements) knew the reason why I asked for it to be at my office – being that it would be in private and trusting surroundings as the guys will not go the Police Station or anywhere else for that matter for obvious reasons!”
*Alberton Community Police Forum had not submitted their comment at the time of going to press, but promised to give it through to the RECORD as soon as possible. The RECORD will publish this comment in our next edition.
Read more here:
Tasked to fight assault and abuse of the homeless
