Bafana Andries Mahlabe was officially introduced as the city’s new chief of police on Thursday, October 15.
He started his official duties on the top seat on October 1.
Mondli Gungubele, Ekurhuleni’s mayor, said it has taken a year for the metro to fill the position, because of the rigorous interview process.
“It has taken us over a year to fill this position because we were looking for the most relevant person; a person who understands the dynamics of the city and has a clever vision on how to win the battle against crime,” he explained.
Mahlabe described himself as “a man of action” and has already seen a few arrests since taking up his new position.
“Within 10 days in office, we have already had a successful recovery of a stolen vehicle and a suspect in custody.
“Yesterday (October 14) we apprehended three most wanted criminals linked to police killings, cash-in-transit heists and armed robberies with ammunition in Vosloorus,” he said.
The key areas on which he intends focusing include:
- illegal mining;
- copper cable theft;
- festive strategy (road safety, armed robberies, heists, housebreakings);
- scrap dealers and illegal activities (theft of manhole covers);
- drug peddling – especially in CBDs;
- land grabbing;
- hijackings;
- violent crimes;
- service delivery protests;
- traffic control and by law enforcements.
Mahlabe acknowledged the growth of the EMPD over the years since its inception.
“EMPD has grown from approximately 700 members, since its establishment, to 2 121,” he said.
“They service 23 precinct stations across the city, serving a population of 3 178 470 in a 1 975 square kilometres radius, according to the 2011 census.”
Mahlabe added that he intends turning around the EMPD and safety action of Ekurhuleni through the following 10 Point Programme of Action (POA):
- Discipline enforcement
- Transformation and professionalism
- Depoliticise the division
- Radical crime combating and corruption
- Proactive crime prevention strategy
- Visible active policing
- Improve community safety and healthy stakeholder relations
- Effective traffic law and by law enforcement
- Optimal utilisation of resources
- Make the EMPD a world class entity.
“I am taking back the streets for the citizens of Ekurhuleni and will leave no stone unturned.
“To those who supply and smoke nyaope and are killing the future of this country: the party is over,” said Mahlabe.
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