A safe Edenvale is his goal
"I want to promise Edenvale that I am here to support and protect them. I am their servant - I appeal to them to work hand in hand with the Edenvale SAPS."
Acting Station Commander of the Edenvale Police Station Colonel Malesela Mapulane aims to help Edenvale reduce crime in the area and strengthen the relationship between the police and the community while he is in charge of the station.
With 31 years of police experience behind him, Col Mapulane believes that this can be achieved if people in the community work together.
“I want the community of Edenvale to be safe. When I do things I like to grab the bull by the horns and that is what I am going to do to crime in Edenvale,” said Col Mapulane.
Col Mapulane said he discovered his passion for fighting crime and keeping community members safe while he was working as a security guard for the Kempton Park Municipality in the late 1980s.
“While I was in Kempton Park I noticed that there was a lot of crime in the area. Sometimes I would think about arresting the criminals and making a difference in the area,” said Col Mapulane.
Shortly after this, he began his basic police training. After finishing his police training he decided to study police administration to assist him in his understanding of the SAPS procedures and he is currently studying criminology to help further his understanding of the law.
During his career as a police officer Col Mapulane has been posted to Tembisa, Benoni, the Client Service Centre at the OR Tambo International Airport and the Railway Police Unit in Johannesburg.
“Over the years I have developed a lot of leadership skills and as a result I am not afraid of the responsibilities connected to being the Edenvale Acting Station Commander,” said Col Mapulane.
He said in order to reduce crime in the Edenvale area police visibility will be increased.
“The police must be seen in Edenvale,” said Col Mapulane.
He said more stop and searches, roadblocks and other crime prevention operations will take place in Edenvale.
Col Mapulane said in order for the crime prevention operations to work effectively community members need to share any information about suspicious activities with the SAPS as soon as possible.
“Community members must be alert and act as the eyes and ears of the community,” said Col Mapulane.
Col Mapulane said the sooner information is provided to the police the sooner it can be acted upon.
He said when he does get the chance he enjoys being on the street where he can assist and interact with the community and listen to their concerns.
“I want to promise Edenvale that I am here to support and protect them. I am their servant – I appeal to them to work hand in hand with the Edenvale SAPS,” said Col Mapulane.
When he is not at the station and has free time he enjoys spending it with his family or playing soccer, said the dedicated crime-fighter. “I play for local teams in Tembisa as well as the Edenvale SAPS soccer team. I enjoy it but now at the age of 54 I start feeling the aches a bit more,” he said.
When he does not play soccer, though, Col Mapulane often stays at the Edenvale Police Station looking for ways in which to improve policing in the area.
“I hope to improve upon the standard of policing in Edenvale. I believe strongly in the motto to serve and protect, and while in Edenvale I hope to do that,” said Col Mapulane.
