Gauteng Community Safety Department held an imbizo in Alexandra on 16 February to tackle the police’s relationship with the community.
The imbizo was called by Alexandra community leaders after the fatal shooting of Samantha Radebe. Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the area with MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko at the time. The imbizo was the first of many steps to discuss ways to tackle crime.
Chair of Chairs Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane directed the programme which discussed the first of many interventions by the police to strengthen relations with the community and to ultimately mobilise the community to collaborate with the police towards eradicating crime in the area.
The Alexandra community attended the imbizo in their numbers to express their concerns in their community.
Alexandra Ministerial Imbizo currently underway at Alexandra stadium. @GPLegislature Chair of Chairs, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane is directing the program. #TakeCharge @SAPoliceService @GTP_Traffstats @Abramjee @FaithMazibukoSA pic.twitter.com/cFFV7KbgPV
— GP Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) February 16, 2020
Also in attendance was South African Police Service General National Commissioner General Khehla John Sithole with Chief head of the Metro police, David Tembe. Sithole said, “The journey for a safe South Africa starts here in Alexandra as one of our turnaround strategies.” Sithole added that Joburg was one of the police’s 10 safer city pilots, with Alexandra being included in the pilot to make the chosen areas safer.
MMC for Public Safety Mally Mokoena added that members of the public should respect local authorities when they perform their duties.
The leadership of the @SAPoliceService and various law enforcement agencies are here in Alexandra to ensure that the community is and feel safe. #TakeCharge @GTP_Traffstats @_ArriveAlive @FaithMazibukoSA @AsktheChief01 pic.twitter.com/u1rzZdiuA1
— GP Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) February 16, 2020
Community leaders such as Linda Twala pointed out other issues affecting the Alex community such as lack of accommodation, and shebeens operating in the area. “We need space for accommodation in Alexandra and we need a retirement village,” he said.
Alexandra Youth Desk chairperson, Marvin Tsotetsi said, “We have a problem with shebeens that are forever operating without closing times.”
"We have a problem with drugs that are sold in every streets of Alexandra," said Marvin Tsotetsi. #TakeCharge @SAPoliceService @GTP_Traffstats @Abramjee pic.twitter.com/B58kUL1vDj
— GP Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) February 16, 2020
Leaders in attendance said they were there to listen and address the challenges. Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathle said they would resolve the issues through crime prevention strategies. “Organise yourselves as the people of Alex and speak in one voice [so] that when you call us as a government you speak in one voice.”
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