Residents of Alexandra confronted the South African Police Service (SAPS) during a community meeting, voicing frustration over rising crime and questioning the police’s ability to respond effectively.

Community Policing Forum interim chairperson Sibabalo Mgijima criticised SAPS for allegedly failing to adequately address the scourge of drugs, which he linked to the alarming murder rate in the area. “We know that these people are high; that is when these murders occur,” he said.

Read more: Alexandra imbizo unites community against youth violence

He highlighted the drug problem as acute, alleging that dealers operate openly every few yards, fuelling violent crime.

Police acknowledged that the issues of substance abuse and children abusing their parents are issues, and noted that those are issues they need to look at.

Mgijima also raised concerns over the hijacking of e-hailing vehicles, questioning whether SAPS has a plan to address the crisis.

“We as the CPF, we can try as much, but the onus is on the police to deal with that, because we can arrest and bring suspects to the police, but we as the CPF get tired of arresting a suspect today and tomorrow they are out,” he said.

Chair of Chairs in the City of Johannesburg, councillor Adolph Marema, doubled down on these concerns. His remarks highlighted how criminals seemingly commit crimes with impunity. He pointed to a known individual alleged to have committed multiple murders, but who remains free in the community.

While police visibility has largely been focused on certain streets identified as crime hotspots, Marema stressed that patrols should extend beyond these areas. “Crime does not only occur on the street where you are driving, but it also happens inside the hostels, and it also occurs within the passages,” he said.

Also read: Community leader urges youth to step up and become active citizens

Marema also cited SAPS’s own presentation, noting that Alexandra Police Station has 305 personnel. By his calculation, this falls short by about 25 officers required for a brigadier station. He questioned what South African law says about the ratio of police officers to the population they serve.

The issue resonated with residents, who have long complained about the lack of vehicles and officers.

Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane, the station commander, previously noted that while some vehicles are often in the garage for repairs, he maintains a considerable number to serve the community.

Thursday’s meeting came at a critical time, following a week marked by bloodshed. One resident estimated that at least nine people lost their lives during the Easter week.

However, most left the meeting unsatisfied, as they felt that their concerns were not fully addressed. Some attendees felt misled, saying the meeting began with a lengthy police presentation instead of direct engagement with community concerns.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!