Katlehong residents call SAPS to account for crime

The Katlehong North CPF left empty-handed after fed-up residents of Motloung Section spurned nominating candidates for the Sector Crime Forum (SCF) executive committee during a community meeting at Freedom Square on September 13.

Once the SCF executive is elected in all sectors, they are responsible for electing the new CPF executive committee.

The meeting aimed for the CPF to share crime statistics, discuss crime challenges and for the community to nominate their candidates.

However, the two CPF members who led the meeting, Deputy Chairperson Comet Moopi and Treasurer Dorah Mapula, witnessed a turn of events when the residents refused to make nominations before the SAPS responded to their concerns.

The police station did not have a representative at the meeting, and this was the second time the SAPS failed to attend a community meeting at Motloung Section.

The residents voiced their frustration with the Katlehong North SAPS, citing that criminals thrived because there was no police visibility in the community.

They listed house breakings, gun violence, drug enforcement, the general safety of community members at night and the police’s inability to investigate cases as their main challenges.

Two residents complained that a bullet almost hit them in their sleep when it fired into the house through the roof.

Siyabonga Ndlovu criticised the CPF for not including drugs in their agenda because they are a problem in the community.

Muzi Matsomang said it did not make sense that the police were not part of the meeting because they were responsible for safeguarding communities.

He said the police were part of the problem and accused officers of colluding with drug dealers. He alleged the police collect bribes and used state vehicles to distribute drugs.

Kimi Mkhwenazi said he had a 2019 housebreaking case registered with the Katlehong North SAPS, but they never followed up with it.

Charles Nyoka asked the CPF representative what the CPF had done for their community in their five-year term.
Moopi said it was vital to have community meetings because he did not know about some of their challenges, especially if they went unreported.

He said the Katlehong North policing precinct covered four sectors, with sector one covering Motloung to Tshongweni.

“Sector one is not experiencing high crime, based on what was reported. Contact crimes, including GBV, murder, carjacking and theft, are the main challenge,” said Moopi.

Street committee co-ordinator Thomas Maluthana gave the two CPF members homework by instructing them to engage with the SAPS and provide the community with feedback on Masilo Mazibuko’s case.

“Mazibuko’s house was burnt down. It has been over three years since this man lost his home. There is evidence proving he is unconnected. We want the police to explain what is happening with this case,” said Maluthana.