Commissioner celebrates the SAPS

POLOKWANE – Police officials across the country are commemorating National Police Day today (Tuesday).

During this commemoration, the officials planned to, not only celebrate their successes, but also remember their colleagues who died in the line of duty.

Review spoke to provincial police commissioner Lt Genl Fannie Masemola about how the Limpopo police will commemorate this day.

“Following the national launch of National Police Day today, the police in Limpopo will roll out a series of outreaches to communities and schools, more specifically where we have not really been before,” Masemola explained.

He said he admired the commitment of the men and women in blue and appreciated their zeal and hard work.

“Our men and women have just been through a very busy and taxing period as they had to work during the festive season while most other residents were on leave in December,” he said, adding that these officials were missed by their families while they were out there ensuring the safety of the public.

He ascribed the relatively low crime statistics over the festive season to the high visibility of police officials, but was quick to add that the police could not achieve this accomplishment alone.

“We need residents to assist us by reporting crime and later testifying in court cases where needed,” he explained.

Asked what he wanted for the police in Limpopo, Masemola was quick to respond that he wanted more.

“I want more for the police in Limpopo. I want more funds, more teams in the fight against rhino poaching, more police stations, more people and better infrastructure,” he said.

He said two satellite police stations would be turned into fully-fledged police stations before the end of this financial year, but many more stations were needed to enhance the visibility of the police in Limpopo and to make it easier for people to report crime.

“We don’t know what our real crime statistics are. Many crimes are probably not reported due to police stations being too far from the people to report crimes,” he lamented.

Masemola said he would love to see at least an extra 30 to 35 police stations or reporting points established in the province.

He said property crime such as household robberies and break-ins as well as robberies at rural spaza shops were of enormous concern.

“It shows there are a lot of, probably illegal, guns around. Drug abuse among the young people of the province and people up to 45 years of age is also a big problem. They use mostly nyaope and cocaine.

“Areas such as Bela Bela, Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng and Thohoyandou are drug dealing hotspots. Rape is also a problem in certain areas,” he said.

Masemola encouraged police officials and their families who suffered from stress to call in at the services provided to assist them.

“Health and wellness units are there for our members, and we want them to use these services,” he said.

Masemola took up his position as provincial police commissioner, in September 2013, and said since then he had not really had a spare minute.

A typical day in his working life involves first familiarising himself with the past 24 hours’ incidents and any areas of special concern, meetings with cluster commanders to strategise and address problems, and deciding when to send in specialised units.

Thereafter he attends more meetings with executive personnel, residents, community leaders, police officials, and the media.

Masemola said when he retired; he would love to see the province a more stable province with the current challenges stabilised.

“Stock theft has been greatly reduced and contact crimes are down, and that pleases me,” he said.

He explained that he wanted to prioritise older, vulnerable people and have a higher and more visible police presence at pension paypoints.

His message to the people of the province is: “Stand up for what is right. Testify when necessary in court. Report crime and don’t corrupt our law enforcement officers. Don’t offer them bribes”.

“We will take drastic action, criminal and departmental, against any reported cases of bribery and corruption,” he pledged.