KIBLER PARK: Organised by Enos Magwabeni and Gabriel Saphula (Malalatladi Safety Moves) the Indaba began late but at the end of the programme, information had been shared about what still needs to be done to fight crime.
Mike Fontes from Glenvista Community Forum (GCF) outlined crime challenges largely experienced by communities in the South. He gave crime statistics that his Glenanda Community Forum (with 1 500 to 2 000 members) put together, which stats they compare and share with Mondeor SAPS. He outlined causative factors in the area such as the number of land spaces owned by the Department of Education, Rand Water, City Parks (eg Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve). These spaces, including the Glenvista Golf course, need to be policed effectively, and visibly, to deal with elements that use them for crime purposes.
“Bylaws need to be strictly upheld to deal with abandoned, and unfinished, buildings which are used by criminal elements to carry out their activities in the area. GFC employs a lawyer who follows up on all the criminal cases involving our area of jurisdiction. I’d also like to urge JMPD to have more visible policing in the area with roadblocks,” said Fontes.
Mondeor Police Station was represented by Colonel Mhlaba, who gave an overview on how they police their Sector 1, 2 and 3. “In each of the sectors they have active CPFs with a SAPS manager representing them. Regular meetings are held in these forums and we are always involved. We are willing to work with any and every community forum that seeks to improve the safety and security in their localities. In this regard SAPS Cluster reps should be approached by any forum that seeks to engage with us. Each sector has at least two patrol vans which make constant rounds in the areas, whose direct cell numbers are made available to the public. We encourage all community members to get involved and work with the police for the safety of all,” Col Mhlaba concluded.
MEC Faith Mazibuko expressed a deep concern with the continued state of crime plaguing communities in spite of all the programmes government implements to address this challenge. “Programmes such as Take Charge, Know your neighbour etc, have been introduced but people still do not want to get involved in these measures that are meant to enhance their own safety. I urge people to get involved and take charge. “Domestic abuse in all forms must stop,” she said.
A question from the floor was on how the Liefde en Vrede community can get some streets closed to avert crime. The MEC suggested the community involve their councillor in getting a petition to the council on this request, while acknowledging the fact that by laws discourage such measures. The programme ended with lunch being served.
