Malvern Community Police Forum (CPF) and residents gathered for the first meeting of the year on February 3.
Chairperson of Malvern CPF Muhammed Ismail chaired the meeting which was also attended by ward councillors, Carlos Da Rocha and Neuren Pietersen.
Concerns raised included a lack of feedback to the public after the violence and looting of shops in September last year in Malvern.
Da Rocha also expressed concern about drinking in public.
“Drinking in public is causing major problems in our areas. SAPS and JMPD must take action on the matter because it is getting out of control.”
Residents raised the same concerns that law-enforcement agencies were not doing enough to combat the matter.
“It is almost like a national sport according to residents. It is happening on every street corner.”
Da Rocha also conveyed concerns about owners of liquor facilities not taking concerns seriously.
“Owners of taverns and pubs let customers drink outside their pubs. These were brought to my attention and I reported it and nothing was done about it,” he said.
“The police cannot do much. Usually when we arrest them they pay a fine or appear in court. The court treats this as a crime that is not important,” said Cleveland SAPS station commander Col Mpe Lobisi Motaung.
The station commander said it is a societal problem that needs to be addressed by all stakeholders in the community.
