These were the words of Colonel Bongani Dlamini, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, in response to a memorandum handed to him recently.
Community members, which included those from Belgravia, Denver and Malvern, marched to the Cleveland SAPS recently to express their commitment to fighting crime and their dissatisfaction with some police officers. The march was led by the ANC Youth League.
The memorandum highlighted their dissatisfaction at the late response to crimes, the conduct of some police officers, police officers who were drunk while on duty and the lack of proper service from the client service centre.
Management was called on to ensure bribery allegations, involving police officers and other officials, are investigated and eradicated, that action is taken against those who “lose” dockets and for every police officer to use identification tags. The community said they were tired of being bullied by police officers who deliberately do not identify themselves while on duty.
The memorandum also called for a better conviction rate and a justice system that “protects the victim and witnesses, not the criminal”.
The community applauded the work done by committed police officers and said they will support them in the fight against crime.
They called on the SAPS to facilitate the process of establishing street committees, to patrol their streets and to take action against taverns that do not operate within the law.
They also said they have been quiet for a long time and will no longer allow criminals to steal their hard earned belongings and hurt or kill their relatives, friends and neighbours. They reiterated that they will stop at nothing to help the police convict criminals and provide them with information.
Col Dlamini said he appreciates the support and commitment of the community.
“We encourage the community to expose all criminals residing in their area and to share that information with the police. Police are responding within 10 minutes to all complaints given to them. However, it will be checked that all complaints are prioritised, especially emergency complaints. The conduct of some members will be addressed if the community comes forward to lay complaints against those members. The Jeppe and Cleveland SAPS are working together to address issues of crime within boundaries. Community members are urged to be vocal and report any incidents of crime and the perpetrators of those crimes,” he said.
Col Dlamini urged the community to report corrupt police officers. He said people can call 0800 701 701 and remain anonymous when reporting issues such as bribery.
“Communities must form street block committees. Sector managers will help in establishing them. Community members should attend community police forum meetings.
“Investigations are strengthened at our police station through some of the information we receive from the community. Dockets are scanned on the E-Docket system and no dockets are reported as lost at our station,” he said.
Col Dlamini urged people to demand the names of police officers and said that police officers who are drunk while on duty must be reported.
“If community members feel we need to improve, our suggestion box will be made available to them. Our doors are always open and we appeal to the community to come forward,” said Col Dlamini.
The community also demanded that the Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, deal with house hijackings. House hijackings and overcrowding are rife in these suburbs.
The EXPRESS forwarded an enquiry to the Office of the Premier. The enquiry was acknowledged by Ms Sandy Thomas. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
