WESTVILLE SAPS’s newly-appointed station commander urges the community to work together with the police to fight crime in the Westville area.
Col Sbongile Mhlongo was introduced by the Pinetown cluster commander for Vispol, Brig Vukani Mgobhozi, at the Westville CPF Public meeting on Tuesday, 16 February.
Brigadier Mgobhozi said Mhlongo is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in the Visible Policing component of the SAP.
“She has worked in various stations as a relief commander, CSC commander, cluster commander for Vispol in the Ulundi Cluster and accounting station commander.”
Mhlongo thanked everyone for the warm welcome and introduced the SAP Westville management team who were present at the meeting.
She said would not make any decisions without consulting her management team.
Mhlongo said that she has scanned the criminalistic ideologies which threaten society.
“Something radical must be done, but it cannot be done without the help of the community. The Westville SAPS officers have a huge task ahead to fight and combat crime.”
She referred to a quote by Martin Luther King: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
“Criminals will not back down and so they need to be displaced.” Mhlongo urged the SAPS and community to interact in social dialogue.
“This works through neighbourhood watches and informal networks, we must all fight crime so that Westville can be a crime-free area. While fighting crime, the full application of the law and the constitution will be adhered to. Any issues of ill discipline within the ranks will face the full might of the law.
“We live in a multiracial society where all members of the community will be served equally,” she said.
Col Mhlongo advised that she has an open door policy and will be accessible and available to her staff and to the community 24/7.