Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Faith Mazibuko has called on residents of Protea Glen to play their part in the fight against crime in their area. The MEC also warned about renting rooms to undocumented foreigners and unknown people.
“Stop renting out your rooms and spaza shops to undocumented people who might end up committing crimes,” said MEC Mazibuko.
“It is also important to know your neighbours and what is happening around you so that you can assist each other in case of an emergency.”
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The MEC was speaking at a community crime imbizo held at Protea Glen Extension 26 this past weekend.
Residents who attended the imbizo told the MEC that they already know each other and are already playing their part in keeping the area free of crime.
They wanted to know what government is doing because services in terms of law enforcement take time to get to their area since they are far from the police station.
“We don’t have a police station in Protea Glen and we rely on the Protea South Police Station which is very far from us.
“There used to be a mobile station here in Extension 26 but we don’t see it anymore. What happened to that mobile station and when is a proper police station going to be built?” asked one resident to the MEC.
Other residents raised concerns over lack of visibility of Amapanyaza, saying they only see them driving around in fancy cars but they are never available when help is needed.
Protea Glen Extension 26 has been an area prone to horrible crimes including murder and various other crimes.
Because of the area being remote and quiet, many crimes don’t get the attention they deserve. One resident spoke about how her car was stolen from her yard and went to open a case at the Protea Police station and the police promised to come and sweep the crime scene for fingerprints but never showed up.
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“This happened in 2022 but nothing happened with my case, I eventually received an SMS from the SAPS saying my case has been dropped. I asked myself how they can drop my case because I have been told that my car was seen in Limpopo,” continued the angry women.
MEC Mazibuko made a commitment on behalf of her department that they will ramp up their crime fighting operations in the area.
“Patrollers must stay out of malls and patrol in the community. Malls don’t need patrollers because they have private security,” said the MEC.
“We are also working on increasing capacity for Amapanyaza so they can be more visible in our streets.
“They must also be in a position to conduct stop and searches. I know this might inconvenience some but it’s for the safety of residents.”
She went on to encourage residents to strengthen good working relations with private security companies operating in the area.
