JPMD sweeps up beggars in Operation Ke Molao
JOBURG – Superintendent Edna Mamonyane describes what happens to beggars taken off the street.
Operation Ke Molao has been enforced by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) since last year and is aimed at restoring order to Johannesburg’s intersections, however new issues have come to light.
Operation Ke Molao means, ‘It’s the law’, which is exactly what JMPD officers are trying to enforce across Johannesburg. JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamonyane explained that the JMPD is trying to sustain the operation into the New Year.
“The worst problem we are having at the moment is that of window washers, especially on Grayston Drive and the intersection by Bruma and East Gate.” Supt Mamonyane further stated that it is a persisting problem as they harass the motorists. “They would not be so determined if motorists did not give them money. We urge the public to not give the beggars and window washers money because in the same process you are giving them a reason to come back.”
Often JMPD patrols will remove the individuals but due to the constant form of income from kind motorists, they come back to their traffic lights. “Sometimes they sit there for hours and receive no money and this results in the serious dilemma of smash-and-grabs because they become desperate,” added Supt Mamonyana.
The JMPD patrols areas that have a high number of complaints. “We are accompanied by the Social Development Department where we take the beggars and window washers to the closest SAPS office to be profiled and processed,” added Supt Mamonyane.
According to Supt Mamonyane, the next big issues are mothers begging with their children and the ‘dancing’ beggars. “It is very, very dangerous for the children as often they are left to sleep on the island and often crawl into traffic and are seriously injured by the motorists who do not see them.” Supt Mamonyane added that cases of young children and the elderly are treated with importance. “At the police station we can ensure that the children and elderly are given a social grant, they do not need to be in the road begging.”
After being profiled at a SAPS station, the individuals are then taken to a place of safety by Social Development Department and that way JMPD can ensure, “that they are in safe hands”, according to Supt Mamonyane.
The community is encouraged to report their complaints and areas of concern to the JMPD control room on 011 375 5911.
Let us know what you think:
Are the JMPD and Social Development doing the right thing?
Details: JMPD, 011 375 5911 or the Social Development Department, 011 681 8079.
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