Alex police station marred by allegations of corruption

Alexandra residents voiced their frustrations over alleged corruption within the local police station.
They have accused officers of taking bribes, protecting criminals, and instilling fear in the community.
This was during a recent march to Alexandra Police Station, where residents delivered two memoranda outlining their challenges. During the handover, the community members were allowed to express their concerns in the presence of the station commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane and other police officials.

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A frustrated resident, Tshegofatso Mabunda did not mince his words. “We are chanting the same song, stop taking bribes. When you find foreign nationals trading, you require bribes from them,” he said, as other protesters nodded in agreement.

Another resident Khensani Tshabalala said the police have paralysed the community with fear. She stressed that they have instilled so much fear that even when residents witnessed corruption, they looked away. She claimed that she witnessed an officer assaulting a man.
“I was here at this police station to report something, and I saw a police officer hitting a drunk man, and no one reprimanded him. He was even a bully,” she said.
She added many residents said they no longer reported crimes, fearing retaliation or that suspects would walk free due to having police connections. “We are afraid of coming forward to say that there is someone selling drugs there, because tomorrow a person will come and shoot you. We are supposed to collaborate with you, but instead, you instil fear in us.”

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Residents said taxi operators and street vendors were common targets of the police, with officers allegedly demanding payoffs to ignore violations. “Officers pocket ‘cold drinks’ [bribes] from foreign nationals. They know which corners to visit for ‘lunch money.’ They wear uniforms claiming to protect us, but it is a lie; otherwise, illegal activities would not thrive like this,” Zwelethu Buthelezi claimed.

Former Community Policing Forum members, and chairperson of Last Gado Civic Movement Shlalo Hlophe called for a united front. “We’re not here to disrespect the law. We’re asking for cooperation. The community must help the police clean their house. They can’t do it alone, and neither can we. We need each other,” said Hlophe

Despite listening to all these allegations levelled against his officers, Ngubane did not address any of them. Instead, he assured the protesters that their grievances had been heard and that he would give them feedback on their memoranda after May 5.

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