Residents from Diepkloof and Orlando gathered at the Diepkloof Hall, on Sunday, for the Community Safety Imbizo hosted by Community Safety MEC, Faith Mazibuko.
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The summit was aimed at engaging with the community on an action plan to deal with crime in Diepkloof and surrounding areas.
MEC Mazibuko who delivered the key address highlighted government’s safety strategy plans to tackle crime and safety challenges in Gauteng by 2030.
“The Gauteng safety strategy that we adopted as the executive council of Gauteng identifies the crime generators. Some of the issues are the by-law enforcement, expansion of residential areas including informal settlements.
“Land grabs and land invasions and alcohol outlets. Through analysis, we have found that visible policing is also a problem. Another problem is that we have hostels where generators of crime come from. Corruption in the police and fire arms related crimes are some of the challenges that we have picked up,” she said.
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Mazibuko said serious safety interventions were needed and urged communities to mobilise and work together to win the raging war against crime.
“When we develop our own safety plan, we must focus on Know your neighbourhood campaigns and ward based policing. Let us build street and block committees. Let us build committees in defence of communities so that our safety plan is solid. Let us ensure we recruit more community patrols. School safety must also be integral within the work that we do. The safety of our communities it is in our hands,” she concluded.
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) said they hoped that the outcome of the summit would show directive and forge implementable solutions to curb the scourge of crime.
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Diepkloof Station Commander, Brigadier Makgomo Maake addressed residents, urging them to work with the police and report all criminals.
“Today we are here to fight crime and all these issues that have been raised here today. I plead with the community for us to work together –to arrest these suspects. We need your assist because these criminals are within our homes, we know and live with them. They are terrorising the community.”
Brigadier Maake made a further plea to the MEC to direct more resources and manpower to the Diepkloof Police Stating as these were a contributing factor to the lack of effective policing in the community, adding that the entire Diepkloof was a crime hot spot.
MEC Mazibuko has committed to ensuring that Diepkloof will get more sector vehicles to service the community. According to the MEC, Community Safety will be purchasing 55 patrol vans as part of its budget allocation.
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