Vosloorus SAPS held a public meeting in Sector 5, Extension 7 in Vosloorus on Tuesday, January 24.
The meeting was attended by a large number of community members. The community members gave support to the police and promised to work with them to combat crime.
Station commander Brig Themba Denge was accompanied by Vosloorus SAPS management, including VISPOL commander Col Raymond Buthelezi, head of detectives Col Solly Phago, crime prevention commander Capt Obed Phala and sector manager of Sector 5 Const Sikhosana. Extension 7 ward councillor Thandi Nkosi and Jerry Romohapi of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) were also present.
According to the communications officer at Vosloorus Police Station, Capt Piet Rossouw, it was not the first time they had held a meeting like this one.
“We normally ask to meet with community members on a regular basis within the different communities in different areas. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss crime with the community and to persuade the members to work with the police in combating crime in their areas. We emphasise to the community that they must report crime that they are aware of. Not all the crimes committed are reported to the police, which is why it is sometimes easy for the criminals to get away with their actions. If the community does not report crime, criminals will walk free.”
“In these meetings we want to know from the communities themselves if they are still happy with the work of the police,” added Rossouw.
Rossouw said the community is more than happy and satisfied with the police’s work.
“The community members in the areas where we have held these meetings have shown that they have faith in the force and they still feel protected,” said Rossouw.
On Wednesday, January 25, the Kathorus MAIL went to talk to the members of the community in Ext 7, to find out if they are really happy with the work being done by the SAPS.
One of the community members, who wished to remain anonymous, said they are more than happy with the work of the police.
“If the police were not there, the crime rate would have been very high. The job they have done with the bank-following and ATM crime is very good. Some people don’t utilise all the help they have been offered by the police. But I would like the police to work hard on eradicating the nyaope that is found in most of the hostels around Vosloorus. This type of drug is destroying our youth,” said the community member.