DA responds to “scathing” comments allegedly made on radio about Edenvale SAPS

The Edenvale SAPS station commander, Colonel Eddie Trollip, hit back at comments allegedly made on radio that the Edenvale SAPS was “useless”.

He set the record straight at the Edenvale Community Police Forum meeting on Thursday, April 30.

“If we look at the statistics for a three year period between 2000 and 2003, we see that a total of 9 833 cases were reported to the Edenvale SAPS,” said Col Trollip.

He added that in the last three years, 4 143 cases were reported.

“There has been a total decrease in crime of over 5 000 cases,” said Col Trollip.

“In no period has the crime been lower in Edenvale. With the exclusion of house robberies, all other crimes have decreased,” he added.

Col Trollip also told those attending the meeting that for the last five years running, the Edenvale SAPS has featured in the top positions for the best performing station at a cluster level.

Vice-chairperson for the ECPF, Mrs Sheryl Damerall, urged residents who make scathing reports to be sure of their facts.

“More often than not, the facts that residents have are incorrect,” she said.

She also urged residents who are serious about reporting poor service to follow the correct protocol, which would facilitate the proper investigations.

“Before making remarks on national radio, residents should also allow for those who are being attacked to have a right of reply,” said Mrs Damerall.

Since the meeting, a controversial post on the Edenvale Community Facebook page, where it is stated that an ‘Edenvale DA councillor’ was responsible for the on-air comments, received much attention.

In comments made to the post, residents, councillors and administrators launched scornful attacks against each other.

“The Democratic Alliance (DA) takes these personal attacks on the DA councillors and the party, based on unsubstantiated and apparent hearsay allegations, very seriously,” said Ms Angela Barnes, the media liaison for the DA’s Ekurhuleni Caucus.

“Due to a lack of information, the party is unable to comment officially on the Facebook post that one of its councillors called the Edenvale SAPS ‘useless’ on a radio station. At this stage, not one of the accusers has provided the party with the name of a councillor, or provided enough information about the radio station in question, which has somewhat hampered the party’s attempts to ascertain the exact facts of the case,” she said.

“The party believes that not one of the councillors, ward or PR, who are affiliated with the Edenvale SAPS made any such statements. All the councillors enjoy a productive working relationship with Col Trollip and the CPF. If any one of them ever experiences any problems, these would be the first ports of call,” said Ms Barnes.

In her response to the NEWS’ enquiry regarding the post and statements made, Ms Barnes said it was unfortunate that individuals who claim to be involved in unifying Edenvale descend into personal scraps.

She added that councillors in Edenvale have the full support of the DA.

“The Facebook post is unfortunate, but unsurprising as this page, run by nameless and faceless administrators purportedly supported by the Edenvale community, consistently uploads malicious and misleading posts against DA councillors who have the proven support of almost 90 percent of the community,” said Ms Barnes.

“The DA acknowledges that many members of the SAPS work tirelessly in a thankless job, and the party has a long track record, in the relevant sphere of government, of pushing for reforms to get officers on the ground the tools they need to keep them safe and to root out the corruption that hampers the ability of the SAPS to do their duty,” she said.

Chairperson for the ECPF, Mrs Linda McKenzie, said she and other executive members of the CPF were in the process of obtaining a copy of the show on which the alleged comments were made.

At the time of publishing, the podcast of the show had not been obtained.