Meet the new Parkview station commander

The new station commander for Parkview Police Station Colonel Devan Govender believes that with community involvement they can make Parkview the best station in Joburg.

Govender brings with him a wealth of experience from working at various stations across the city. He began his career in the police in 1991 and spent 21 years at stations across Soweto before working as acting station commander at Langlaagte, Mondeor, Moffatview and Brixton. Before starting at Parkview, he worked as Vispol commander at Sophiatown Police Station.

“Policing is my passion. I grew up in a family of policemen and knew from a child that it was my duty to become a police officer,” said Govender.

“Being appointed as the new station commander is a good challenge for me. I am eager to change a lot of things for the benefit of the community and members.”

He believes community and stakeholder partnership is key to achieving his goals.

Govender wants to see community members walking freely in the suburbs without fear of crime.

He is making it his priority to see more Parkview officers on the streets to achieve this.

“We are working to identify hotspots and work according to crime pattern analysis in order to bring down crime.”

Govender said it was critical to receive information concerning criminal activities from the community. This would enable the station to allocate resources accurately and curb crime.

“I want the community to take ownership of the police station and work with us to make the area safer.”

Property-related crimes are the station’s major priority at the moment. They aim to bring down crime including house robberies, housebreaking, theft of and out of motor vehicles, which are of concern at present.

A spokesperson for Parkview Police Station Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said, “Colonel Govender is not new in the police. I believe that with his experience, we will have a positive impact in the community. He is going to implement things that he knows and he is prioritising community safety.”

Govender has an open-door policy and invites the public to visit him or send any suggestions to the station for improvement. He encourages community members to make their voices heard at the Community Policing Forum.

Complaints or suggestions can be emailed to complaints coordinator Captain Constance Oliphant on SefaraMR@saps.gov.za or mudaum2@saps.gov.za

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