Douglasdale Police Station gets new management

The Douglasdale Police Station has been a hot topic after racism allegations against the management at the station.

There was an illegal protest on 29 January by unhappy staff members.

Initially 80 members were served with dismissal letters.

According to Major General Oswald Reddy,”The Minister of Police then looked at the large number and the dismissals were uplifted. It was then decided that these members, who had embarked on the illegal protest, be redeployed along with the management of the station.”

The Douglasdale Community Policing Forum held a meeting at the Indaba Hotel on 24 February.

The main purpose of the meeting was to introduce the new management team at the Douglasdale Police Station and to bid the old management farewell.

Former Station Commander Brigadier Leon Kruger was redeployed to the Provincial Police Head Office.

”I would like to thank everyone that supported us during this time and we accept the decision that was made – we respect it,” said Kruger.

Colonel Tinus Swart will be taking up a management post at Kagiso Police Station.

”I am leaving with a heavy heart, I am leaving a family, I know how foster kids feel now –It is not a nice feeling.”

Brigadier Lettie Hugo, former Randburg SAPS Station Commander will now be the Station Commander for Douglasdale.

”Thank you to everyone for the trust of building up the station again. I look forward to making a change, building an excellent relationship with the community,members of the police and to serve the community with dedication.”

Honeydew Cluster Commander, Major General Oswald Reddy commented that, ”It is always difficult when you have to say goodbye. Service delivery does come first for the police and I am motivated and very positive that we [SAPS] will get over this hurdle.”