Residents remember JMPD’s Sup Mrubata in their darkest hour
The energetic and dedicated late Superintendent was cited as a shining example as he always availed himself for operations and social engagements in Ward 114 and many other wards in Region C.
When mourners paid tribute to the late Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Acting Deputy Director for Region C, Superintendent Wandile Mrubata, most spoke about the void that he was going to leave in Region C.
Indeed, those heartfelt sentiments have seemingly started to materialise when complaints about lack of JMPD presence in Zandspruit surfaced, despite unrest in the area. Ward 114 PR councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku recently communicated information from the ground, saying, “One of the residents of Zandspruit reminded me that they last saw JMPD law enforcement in Zandspruit when late Superintendent Mrubata was still alive. Since his passing lawlessness is the order of the day in Zandspruit.” Belinda said the complaint from the residents related to the land invasion crisis currently plaguing that area. The residents complained that they have been calling JMPD concerning land invasion, to no avail,” she claimed.
The energetic and dedicated late Superintendent was cited as a shining example as he always availed himself for operations and social engagements in Ward 114 and many other wards in Region C. However, JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar responded to the allegations by alluding that they are overstretched when it comes to policing land invasions.
“We try to be everywhere we can, but land invasions are happening everywhere,” he said.
“Even in the south it’s hectic. We receive complaints of land invasion all the time. Our biggest challenge about this crisis is that when we break down shacks in one area and start focusing our energies on another, they start rebuilding in the previous area we attended,” Minnaar explained.
Regarding Zandspruit, Belinda has hoped that the sod-turning by City of Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo on 10 July for temporary housing to be built in Extension 84 will alleviate land grabs.
The City is set to build about 700 temporary housing units, of which some will benefit residents of Zandspruit. This initiative strives to de-densify informal settlements and allow appropriate social distancing within the communities to help curb the spread of Covid-19, according to Makhubo.
