WATCH: Community demands answers from SAPS about task team’s disbanding
Community members attended the monthly Sector One Community Policing Forum meeting.
Members of the community in attendance at a meeting last night hoping to get answers regarding the disbanding of the Anti-Hijacking Task Team had to leave without any clarity on the matter.
More than 200 community members attended the monthly Sector One Community Policing Forum meeting in the hope of receiving answers about the demise of the task team.
The meeting kicked off without any incidents or interruptions and the crowd gave the station commander, Brig Johannes Manyathele the opportunity to provide a crime report.
It was shortly after this that a member of the community interrupted and demanded answers about the task team.
The chairperson of the Putfontein CPF, Gerhard van Seventer, who was called in to address the specific issue surrounding the disbanding of the task team, said that it was clear that there was split in the community regarding the issue but that the CPF did not have the authority to question the actions of the SAPS.
At this point the meeting became uncontrollable with members of the community shouting and demanding answers.
At one point, DA Member of Parliament for Brakpan Gordon MacKay, who was also in attendance, said that the Brakpan SAPS should explain their actions.
He said that he will escalate the matter to the Minister of Police if answers are not given.
Van Seventer then suggested that five representatives from the community, from the SAPS and from the CPF be identified to discuss the matter in an orderly way and during a proper meeting.
“We will not achieve anything if we stand and shout at each other,” he said.
The meeting was then adjourned. It is not clear when the suggested meeting will take place.
Also read: Police comment on allegations surrounding task team’s disbanding
Brakpan Anti-Hijacking Task Team disbanded
