DA Councillor Gert Niemand has organised a crime awareness march for 20 March, but says Niemand, it is an apolitical event.
Niemand and his DA colleagues wants all role players affected by crime to join in the event and says residents, block watches, resident associations, businesses and security companies are all welcome regardless of their political affiliation.
The biggest issues Niemand and his team wants to address through the march is the lack of visible policing and enforcement of by-laws. A memorandum will be handed over at both the JMPD offices in Rex Street as well as at the Roodepoort police station which will contain the public’s complaints regarding police officers that can not be reached, the lacklustre attitude of members of the police and the rife corruption within the forces.
The spotlight will also be shined on issues such as rampant drug dealing that is seemingly ignored although it openly takes place all across Roodepoort.
Niemand also says sector policing should be revisited and rethought.
“If the police come with the excuse that they have a manpower problem the management must send more policemen,” said Niemand who is also a former policeman.
During the speeches at the march, which takes place a day before Human Rights Day, speakers will also discuss issues relating to how the public’s rights according to the Constitution is degraded due to crime.
The assembly point will be at the Town Hall in Rex Street at 10am where a memorandum would be handed over to JMPD. The group will leave at 11am and march through the central business district to Roodepoort police station where another memorandum will be handed over.
For more information Niemand can be contacted on 078 743 9681 or at ticket@polka.co.za .