New boss for new cluster
The Germiston and Katlehong SAPS clusters have amalgamated and are headed-up by Col Max Masha.
He has a tough job to do, but with his wealth of experience and dedication Gen Max Masha is up for the challenge.
Masha took up the position of cluster commander for the SAPS’s Ekurhuleni West Cluster on April 1.
The cluster combines the Germiston and Katlehong clusters and comprises 12 police stations.
A special function, where heads of police stations and units came together at the Germiston Police Station, to welcome Masha, was held last Tuesday.
Masha joins the Ekurhuleni West Cluster after a successful stint as cluster commander in Sebokeng (the Vaal area).
He has been in the police force since 1984 and believes that, for the police to be more successful, they need the community.
“We are serving the community and must find out what their needs are,” he said.
The general, who originally hails from Limpopo, always wanted to be a policeman and has worked at many different police stations since joining the service.
He is married to Emily (a pastor) and has two children, Dennis (28) and Trudy (24).
“One thing they teach you when you become a police officer is that it is important to lead a balanced life and that you must maintain all aspects of your life, so I have always made time for my family,” Masha said.
He has a clear vision for the newly formed Ekurhuleni West Cluster.
“Our cluster must be the best performing cluster and I want the members to want to work.
“We must work with the community and it is important that the community is proud of the police force they have,” he said.
His plans for the cluster include increasing police visibility, especially in areas deemed to be hotspots.
“We will hold operations and deal with the generators of crime,” Masha said.
He added that the police will also work closely with the EMPD in enforcing traffic laws, as people must start to have respect for the law and must realise that they cannot just do what they want.
Another issue which is close to his heart is to increase and better the relationship the detectives have with the courts.
“We all need to be on the same page and those who deserve to be behind bars must be there.
“People must know that if they commit a crime they will be punished and this is a challenge I am prepared to take on,” Masha warned.
“When criminals are just allowed to walk free it frustrates both the police and the community.
“People have enough challenges in their daily lives and, as police, we dare not fail them.
“The community must be safe and feel safe.”
Masha added that the issue of corruption in any form will also be dealt with.
“I appeal to the community not to give bribes, but to rather report the officer concerned,” he said.
“Even if you do give a bribe, you can report the matter anonymously – just take all the particulars, for example the registration number of the vehicle, the time the incident occurred and the officer’s name.”
The general also plans to make sure each station has a cellphone number which the community can use if they receive no help when they call the station.
These cellphones will be manned by relief commanders and this is a way of holding people accountable.
“We also want to improve our reaction time, as the call from the community member might be a matter of life and death,” he said.
“The community must know that when they call, we will be there quickly.”
Masha urged members of the community to get involved by joining their local CPFs and to not wait until crime hits them.
“The closer the police and the community are, the less space there is for criminals to act in our midst,” he added.
“If we remove the space between us, there will be no room for the criminals to play.”
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