New Crystal Park SAPS Vispol acting commander
Capt Richard Maebela is ready to rebuild trust between the police and the community of Crystal Park.
Maebela was appointed in December last year, as the acting Vispol commander for the Crystal Park Police Station.
He took over from the previous Vispol commander Capt Johannes Makhubo.
Maebela, who’s nearing 21 years of service in the SAPS, shared his plans on earning trust from the community and putting criminals behind bars.
Maebela said he is a believer of the “Back to Basics” [initiative] which is a police recovery plan, where the focus is on every police officer doing the basics of policing and on doing these basics properly and consistently.
He began his career in the SAPS in 1995, after his training in Pretoria.
He was placed at the Dunnottar Police Station.
From then, he served as a charge office assistant at the Brakpan SAPS.
Later on he was promoted to be a sergeant at the Benoni Police Station, then moved to Actonville as a warrant officer.
In 2009 until November 2015, he served as a captain at the Etwatwa Police Station.
Maebela said since his appointment, everyone has been helpful.
“The CPF has been really helpful, they have been patrolling day and night, working with them has been amazing,” he said.
“The sector managers have also introduced me to the community leaders.”
He added that the community of Crystal Park must not be afraid to come forward with any complaints.
“I will do my best to make sure there is enough police visibility in the area and that there is a quick police response to any crime reported.
“If police are late in responding to a crime scene, they will have to explain why they were late.
Mabeala said community members must know that police are here for them.
“As police, we can’t fight crime alone but with the community’s assistance we can do more,” he added.
“Don’t be afraid to come with your complaints, especially when you get a bad reaction from the police.”
Crystal Park CPF chairman Paul Raley said so far there’s been full cooperation between the CPF and Capt Maebela.
“All we need is support and cooperation from community members, as it a two-way street,” he said.
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