New Chief of Police warns criminals
"To all criminals, the party is over," according to the new Chief of Police for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
The Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mondli Gungubele has announced the city’s new Chief of Police for the EMPD.
Hailing from Duduza, 46-year-old Bafana Mahlabe was honoured to accept his new position as Chief of Police at the headquarters of the municipality in Germiston.
“It has taken us a year to fill this position because we were looking for the most relevant person,” says Gungubele.
He further explains they were looking for: “A person who understands the dynamics of the city and has a clear vision on how to win the battle against crime.”
Gungubele indicated that because Mahlabe is not a member of the EMPD, the city is following all necessary processes as defined in the Police Act to ensure that the appointment is in accordance with the law.
Mahlabe says: “I did not make this journey alone, numerous people have supported me along the way, I learned early on the value of service to the nation from my parents, while growing up in Duduza.”
He adds that he is clear on the areas that need his attention:
- Illegal mining (zama-zama),
- Copper cable theft,
- Festive strategy, which includes road safety, armed robberies, heists, house break-ins etc.,
- Scrap dealers and other illegal activities,
- Drug peddling, especially in the CBDs,
- Land grabbing,
- Hijackings,
- Violent crimes,
- Service delivery protests,
- Traffic control and by-law enforcement.
“I intend turning around the EMPD and the safety of Ekurhuleni through the following 10-point programme:”
- Discipline enforcement,
- Transformation and professionalisation,
- Depoliticize the division (take politics out of police work),
- Radical crime combating and corruption,
- Proactive crime prevention strategy,
- Visible/active policing,
- Improved community safety and healthy stakeholder relations,
- Effective traffic law and by-laws enforcement,
- Optimal utilisation of resources,
- Make EMPD a world class entity.
“I am taking back the streets to the citizens of Ekurhuleni and will leave no stone unturned, we are going to meet fire with fire.
“Those who supply and smoke Nyaope are killing the future of this country, the party is over.
“We will be cleaning all the shops, houses and corners known as nyaope hangouts.
“The only way to avoid us, is by being in a rehabilitation centre, school or work,” says Mahlabe.
He also warned corrupt officers that it will be stopping today as they will not tolerate any form of corruption.
“I will not be permanently sitting behind a desk, you will find me in the streets and to all criminals, you have no option, but to surrender,” Mahlabe concludes as a warning to wrong-doers.
