BARBERTON – During a recent meeting between the police and local business people in the town hall, the newly appointed station commander of Barberton SAPS, Col MG Tau, proved that the African meaning of his name, lion, fits him like a glove.
Despite having extended invitations to 110 business people way in advance, it was a great disappointment that only a handful showed up. The purpose of the meeting, an initiative of Tau, was to take hands in order to reduce crime and to re-establish Business Against Crime (BAC).
Tau said it was of utmost importance for him to meet local business owners. “I want to show my face so you can recognise me. I don’t believe in sitting in the office all the time because although the air conditioning is very pleasant, people develop a syndrome where they don’t want to leave the office any longer. I need to get to know you and you need to know me.”
He said he asked some people what had happened to the BAC and most explained that it had died a natural death. The 10 people who did show up, were according to him, only the tip of the iceberg, but he assured them that he would reach out to those who did not attend.
“Our economy depends on you and the successful running of your businesses. Every time you get hit by thugs, it’s like you are being bitten by a snake. You don’t expect it and it leaves you feeling numb,” he said.
He explained that no matter what the community did to keep criminals out, very little could deter them. “Putting up barbed wire for instance, is only a delaying tactic. If they want to get in, they will dig through or cut a hole in fencing; they will find a way. Despite this, we have to make use of these tactics to slow them down.”
One of the biggest problems in society, according to Tau, was that neighbours were not communicating any longer. He said people working or living in close proximity to one another, need to communicate and have a certain amount of knowledge about the other person’s business and movements. This, he said, will make for successful observation.
“If your neighbour has to go away and you know his business will be closed, you should make alarm if you notice suspicious activities.
“Most of the time people ignore certain things because they have no knowledge of what’s happening around them, and many crimes can be prevented by just being observant,” he said.
Drug and alcohol abuse, prostitution and card cloning were among the topics he addressed, and he also emphasised the vision of the SAPS – to create a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa.
“My main job is to diminish fear and anything that might be a threat to your safety. If it is not prevented, I will have to investigate and make sure the perpetrators are caught so the law can deal with them.
“You have to inform me so I can be up to date with what’s happening in town.”
He said during the apartheid era, the police and community didn’t communicate as they do now, and officer just went their own way.
“Today, we have to listen, because it is you who are paying our salaries. We need your mandate to tell us how you want us to police. We are working for you and we are at your disposal. If you call me in the middle of the night, I must react and not ask questions. Tap into me, make use of me, but do not misuse me.”
Tau then extended an invitation to anyone who has information about corrupt officials to come forward and speak up.
“I need to deal with them. Tell me to my face if you think I am covering up, because I believe that corruption is what is ultimately killing our country, our economy. The sad thing is that only a few benefit from this. We see it, but too often we let it go. If you are paying bribes, you are just as much at fault. I don’t need bribes, the SAPS are paying me enough. If I want to live like a multimillionaire, somebody must start asking questions and have me checked out, because no SAPS official can live like a millionaire.”
He informed the attendees about certain systems within the SAPS whereby people living above their means, are being investigated. “Ask questions. ‘Where are you getting the money from?’ Help me fight corruption in the force, because I know in many instances they are involved in accepting bribes and it is killing my reputation as station commander. Because nothing is being reported, my hands are tied. Some of you are buying things from illegal miners and sometimes SAPS members are involved as well. It makes me sick,” he said.
After inviting the people to speak their minds, Tau proposed that the BAC be reestablished. It would not be his forum, but that of the business people and he would attend only as one of its members. He suggested that a chairman be nominated and that they met on a three-monthly basis, to see whether things were changing for the better and how they could move forward.
The secretary who has been appointed in the interim, is Verona Beukes of Laeveld Smous.
For any information on the next meeting, during which a chairman will be appointed, contact her on 073-390-2007.
“I have gained enormous respect for Tau during the meeting. I’m just disappointed that so few people showed up. Everyone is constantly complaining about how the SAPS are not doing their work, but here they have extended a hand. I would like to call on all the business people to make an effort to attend the next meeting. Let’s work together to stop crime in its tracks,” said Beukes.
Watch the press for details on the next meeting.
