Voluntary patrollers protest outside station over release of man
The patrollers were questioning their working relationship with the police and demanded answers about the release of the man they believed they had lawfully detained and handed over to the police.
A group of voluntary patrollers protested outside the Mamelodi West police station on Tuesday morning over the release of a suspect they believed they had lawfully detained.
The group was questioning their working relationship with the police and demanded answers about the release of the man they had recently handed over to the police.
Koketso Mthethwa, one of the protesters, said the patrollers apprehended the man after he pointed a firearm at them when they attempted to search him.
The man was later apprehended by the group at his home.
“We are gathered at the station because we believe the suspect was unlawfully released from police custody,” he said.
Mthethwa added that they were volunteers, patrolling to keep their community safe because there was not enough police visibility in their communities.
“We started a patrol group to keep our streets safe from criminals, and we were also experiencing a lot of housebreaking within our ward.
“This was after we noticed there was not enough police visibility and visibility among the CPF members here,” said Mthethwa.
The patrollers claimed they bought their own reflectors, torches, and radios for communication with their own money.
Mthethwa added that the police needed to start taking them seriously because this was not the first time they had apprehended someone and handed them over to the police, only for that person to be released the next day.
He added that almost each and every section in Mamelodi has its own voluntary group of patrollers and has so managed to reduce issues of illegality, criminality and drugs within the community.
“We are working hand-in-hand with the police, but we are concerned because the police are not taking us seriously.”
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, said the patrollers are a voluntary group from the community that was not part of any formal structure or CPF.
With regards to the arrested man, Van Dyk confirmed the suspect was arrested and brought to court, where he was then released.
“The police are still waiting for the docket from the court to get information on why he was released from custody by the court,” said Van Dyk.
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