SAPS visit informal settlement for Imbizo
Residents were provided an opportunity to raise concerns about crime, living conditions (including water, toilets, electricity and roads), and other challenges in the area.
Led by Gauteng SAPS Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Operation Shanela recently visited residents at the EP Malan informal settlement in Pomona, Kempton Park, for a community imbizo.
Residents were provided an opportunity to raise concerns about crime, living conditions (including water, toilets, electricity and roads), and other challenges in the area.
When officers arrived to set up, some community members ran away.
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One resident, who introduced himself as Price Shomtari, said that the community members who ran away when they saw the police did that because they were immigrants and their papers were not in order.
Lieutenant General Mosikili said it was the duty of foreign nationals to ensure their papers were in order.
Duduzile Siko raised the concern of prostitution in the area.
She said that women of different ages are selling their bodies in broad daylight and having sex on the streets, sometimes in the full view of children.
Another issue raised by the community was that of ambulance response. According to residents, ambulances never come when they’re called because there is no proper road infrastructure.
The prevalent issue of GBV also showed its ugly head during the imbizo.
Nonhlanhla Nkwenyana raised her concerns about her GBV ordeal and stated that she feels helpless.
Another resident stated that there was a high crime rate in the area and when police officers were called, no one arrived.
“The police just drive by an area and do not attend to our complaints. Taverns in the area never adhere to the agreed closing time and stay open and play loud music all night,” the resident told officers.
Ward councillors Marinda Buekes and Gerald Goslin promised to improve their communication with residents and also encouraged them to clean up their area.
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They left their contact details with residents and asked to call whenever they needed their assistance.
Mosikili encouraged residents to report crime and she emphasised that undocumented foreign nationals will be arrested and corruption must be reported.
She added that lawlessness will not be tolerated and criminals must know that their time is running out.
She emphasised how community engagements are crucial in fostering partnership policing.
