New station commander at Amanzimtoti Police Station
The new station commander will focus on establishing a strong alliance with security companies and neighbourhood watches to combat crime.
NOW that Colonel Tholumuzi Horatious Mzimela has settled into his role as station commander of Amanzimtoti Police Station, he is ready to address the unique challenges of the area.
While he may not face the same intensity of crime while serving in Amanzimtoti compared to in his previous post at Cato Manor Police Station, Mzimela said that every case is handled with equal dedication. “Property-related crimes, such as housebreakings, theft and vehicle-related thefts, are particularly prevalent, along with difficult-to-trace online scams,” he said.
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Through close collaboration with the Amanzimtoti Community Police Forum, security companies and community members, who all work as the eyes and ears on the ground, the police are able to combat these issues.
With that being said, Mzimela urges residents to report all crimes, no matter how small, as it helps the police identify problem areas and take action. “We are aware that the time it takes to open a case and follow through with the process can be time-consuming. But, if people don’t report crimes, we have no way of knowing who to look for, and those criminals will continue to offend,” he said.
Mzimela also said that one of the unique challenges of Amanzimtoti is that it has its urban and rural areas so close together. “My focus is on ensuring we are able to balance the areas and serve them equally,” he said.
Having served with SAPS since 1994, and climbed his way through the ranks, Mzimela has a wealth of experience from various stations, including KwaNdengezi, Isipingo, Hillcrest, Verulam, Sydenham and Cato Manor. His diverse background allows him to apply his knowledge to Amanzimtoti.
He is currently pursuing an honours degree in policing to deepen his understanding of crime and law enforcement.
“As any South African, you want to play your part in addressing the issue of crime and creating a safe community. I think that’s what drove me to join the police. Crime also creates a trickle effect. For example, businesses do not want to invest in areas with high crime rates, which causes unemployment to increase. I hope I can make a positive difference in the area,” he said.
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