Community needs to stand up to fight crime
Crime statistics and problem areas were identified before stakeholder concerns were addressed.
Brakpan SAPS held their monthly stakeholders’ meeting last Wednesday where various members of the public and stakeholders spoke about the issues facing the community and the way forward.
Lieutenant Colonel Pearl van Staad opened the proceedings with a prayer before station commander Brigadier Fredl Jonck gave the latest crime overview.
Crimes that have increased in the last few months include common assault, domestic violence, murder, armed robbery, business break-ins, theft of motor vehicles and theft out of motor vehicles.
Shoplifting has also increased, as well as online fraud cases where products are advertised on social media and paid for but never arrive.
Problem areas that were identified include the R23, Dalpark Extensions Six, Nine and 11, Brenthurst, the Brakpan CBD, Leachville, and less frequently but still notably, Minnebron.
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Jonck thanked security firms and the CPF for their continued assistance in arresting and apprehending criminals and suspects.
At this point the floor was opened for stakeholders to ask questions about the crime statistics.
One member of the public raised the question of cars being stolen from Far East Rand Hospital, and why the Brakpan SAPS don’t assist with these cases.
Jonck explained that the hospital falls under the jurisdiction of the Springs Police Station, and that Brakpan SAPS do open dockets, which are sent to the Springs station for investigation.
A couple of citizens complained about several types of crimes not being addressed by the police, to which Jonck replied that they can only address crimes if they are aware of them, and that people need to report crimes.
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The question of police visibility in the community was raised. Jonck explained that the station has limited vehicles, and cannot be visible everywhere as a result.
The station applies for the allocation of vehicles with the provincial office annually, but resources are limited and they often don’t receive the vehicles for which they applied.
“With more vehicles, visibility will improve, but it is out of the station’s hands,” he said.
From the provincial side, additional budgets were reportedly approved to purchase drones, helicopters and more than 400 vehicles.
However, this budget increase is for the entire Gauteng province, and there is no guarantee that this will mean additional vehicles for Brakpan.
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Another issue is the repair time for vehicles, which can take almost a year. As a result, more stringent measures are being put into place to hold officers who damage their vehicles accountable, so that repairs will be necessary less frequently.
Jonck asked the community to stand together and do their part in fighting crime by reporting suspicious activity and helping with projects to clean up the town. After this, the floor was given to various stakeholders.
Ekurhuleni councillors informed attendees that a project is underway to acquire tractors to cut, rake and bale grass along public roads and parks around town.
However, support from the community by way of diesel donations, rakes and manpower is needed for it to be successful.
Illegal mining was addressed, and operations in collaboration with the CPF and security firms are being planned.
In terms of tampering with electrical infrastructure, many arrests have been made, and sentences of 10 to 15 years have been handed down.
The EMPD took a moment to inform the attendees that the department is overwhelmed by the amount of petty complaints that they are obligated to address, which makes their turnaround time for more serious complaints longer.
They also addressed concerns about vagrants, by recalling that previous operations in collaboration with the department of social development have been unsuccessful because homeless people do not stay at the safe spaces they are taken to, because they can’t make money there.
The EMPD is, however, planning to engage with the fire department to hose down the sidewalks where these people sleep periodically to help keep the space clean.
The justice department noted that court cases are taking longer to resolve due to load-shedding damaging recording machines.
There is also an issue with cases being withdrawn, specifically assault cases, and a new rule that no assault case may be withdrawn after being opened has been instated.
The department also engages with the department of social development to find alternative resolutions to assault and domestic violence cases that are withdrawn such as mandatory anger management classes.
Issues with police statements regarding drug-related crimes have been identified, which leads to cases getting thrown out.
The department has a professional ready to train police officers on the correct filing procedures for drug-related crimes, and arrangements are being made for this training.
Other stakeholders had no updates or commentary, and Jonck closed the meeting with the following: “With the community’s help and support, let’s hope that Brakpan becomes a safe town again.”
