Members of Eden Park SAPS joined forces with community stakeholders during Operation Shanela on May 20, focusing on school safety, bullying awareness and community concerns in Palm Ridge Ext 5.

The operation kicked off with a school search at Greenfields Senior Secondary School, where officers from Eden Park SAPS, the CPF and Gauteng Traffic Wardens searched learners and their school bags.

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Bullying, school safety, elderly abuse and rising crime were among the key issues discussed when Eden Park SAPS conducted Operation Shanela in Greenfields Senior Secondary School, Opelweg Primary and Palm Ridge Extension 5 on May 20 Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

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Police later visited Opelweg Primary School for an awareness talk aimed at educating learners about bullying, abuse and crime prevention.

Warrant Officer Maome addressed learners about the impact of bullying and warned them about the consequences of criminal behaviour.

“Whenever you bully someone, you make them stay away from school. Now you are part of the people committing a crime. We don’t want to be in a position where we have to arrest learners,” said Maome.

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Police later visited Opelweg Primary School for an awareness talk aimed at educating learners about bullying, abuse and crime prevention. Warrant Officer Maome addressed learners about the impact of bullying and warned them about the consequences of criminal behaviour. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Learners were encouraged to report bullying incidents and were informed that children can also face arrest and detention in juvenile correctional facilities.

The operation concluded with an Imbizo in Palm Ridge Ext 5, where representatives from SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Community Safety and the CPF engaged with residents about available services and challenges affecting the community.

Social worker Lydia Rasesemola from the Department of Social Development in Katlehong spoke about the abuse and neglect often experienced by elderly and disabled residents.

“We work a lot with the elderly and the disabled. Elderly people are not well cared for, and some even have people taking their grant money. The disabled also get abused and we deal with a number of those kinds of situations,” said Rasesemola.

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Social worker Lydia Rasesemola from the Department of Social Development in Katlehong speaks about the abuse and neglect often experienced by elderly and disabled residents. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

She explained that conflicts between family members living in the same household often negatively affect elderly residents and urged community members to report such cases.

Residents also raised concerns about services at Tsietsi Clinic, claiming elderly patients spend hours waiting without assistance.

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Residents also raised concerns about services at Tsietsi Clinic, claiming elderly patients spend hours waiting without assistance. “The service is poor, the staff have an attitude. We want to know where and how to report this so we can get it addressed,” residents said during the discussion. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

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“The service is poor, the staff have an attitude. We want to know where and how to report this so we can get it addressed,” residents said during the discussion.

Kgwerano Mohuba from Tsietsi Clinic advised residents that complaints about service delivery can first be reported to the clinic manager and, if necessary, escalated further.

Community members further complained about frequent break-ins and nightly gunshots in the area. Police urged residents not to take the law into their own hands if they apprehend suspects.

Residents were advised to contact the police immediately and to open criminal cases rather than assaulting suspects themselves.

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Residents were advised to contact the police immediately and to open criminal cases rather than assaulting suspects themselves. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Ntsikelelo Sali from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court also explained the NPA’s role and how the organisation operates within the justice system.

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Ntsikelelo Sali from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court explains the role of the NPA and how the organisation works within the justice system. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Sergeant Badi of Eden Park SAPS thanked all role players and community members who contributed towards the success of Operation Shanela.