SAPS holds meeting with community of Esselen Park
"I discourage the community from soliciting money from any suspect and then approaching the court to withdraw a case. There needs to be a working relationship between the community and the police.”
The Tembisa SAPS executives joined the community of Esselen Park on January 28 to discuss criminal activity taking place in the area.
GBV coordinator Sergeant Pitsi Makgatho encouraged the community to report GBV cases to the police.
She also told residents to not report and withdraw cases.
“Victims must seek professional help from organisations like POWA, which has offices in the police station throughout the day, NICRO, You Are Not Alone (YANA) and the Department of Social Development.”
Makgatho encouraged more than 300 community members to form a neighbourhood watch and to be concerned about the activities taking place around their section.
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Community Safety Forum’s chairperson Samuel Sadiki encouraged the community to report criminal activities to the police.
He added that landlords should use forms provided to them to screen tenants.
“Landlords should refrain from harbouring criminals at their homes. More patrollers are needed and people must volunteer to protect their place of residence,” said Sadiki.
Vispol commander Colonel Percy Selematsela encouraged the community to work hand in hand with police by giving police information regarding criminal activities taking place around the area.
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Selematsela said members of the community could report information anonymously.
Lieutenant Colonel Kgobisa from the detective’s branch addressed the community about not getting feedback from investigation officers.
“The community is welcomed to the branch commander’s office to enquire about the progress of their cases.
“I discourage the community from soliciting money from any suspect and then approaching the court to withdraw a case. There needs to be a working relationship between the community and the police.”
