SAPS asked to cross the line

Kensington must be policed as one suburb to ensure effective and productive policing.

The suburb is currently policed by two police stations due to the precinct boundary line.

The I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) is calling on the Jeppe and Cleveland SAPS to treat the suburb as one to strengthen the fight against crime.

“As much as the police require public participation, the public require the police to assist them in getting involved in proactive crime prevention and reduction initiatives,” said Mrs Lornette Joseph, the Ilka chairperson.

In its safety and security proposal sent to the management of the police stations recently, Ilka said Kensington is the largest and oldest suburb in Johannesburg and has its own set of problems. “These problems are not necessarily shared by suburbs surrounding Kensington but some of these problems overlap into, and affect, each area.

“Due to the demarcation of the police jurisdictions, Kensington is split by an invisible line between the Jeppe and Cleveland SAPS and their respective CPF’s. This invisible line is a serious concern,” said Mrs Joseph. In an interview with the EXPRESS, Mrs Joseph said the invisible line creates several problems. She said this is evident at CPF and sector meetings where police officers mention overlapping areas of concern. “Crime moves between the precincts. This is why working together would be more beneficial,” she said.

Mrs Joseph said Ilka’s aim is to do all it can to ensure residents are protected. “Some people do not know who to contact in an emergency because they are not sure which station they are served by. We would like to create a situation where residents can contact authorities and know they will be attended to. We also attend monthly meetings in both precincts to discuss crime. These meetings cover other suburbs as well. It would be more productive for all Kensington residents to attend one meeting where only concerns relating to the suburb are discussed. We proposed that Ilka, the two police stations and CPF’s bring the two authorities closer to the public. This way, more residents will attend and give information. We can all work together,” said Mrs Joseph.

She said there are areas that would benefit tremendously if both police stations and other authorities, such as the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), combined their resources and manpower. “If this happened, problems in Rhodes Park for example would be better addressed. There must be more visibility and this is possible if both police stations work together. Residents just want more police visibility. They do not worry about the sign that says which police station the officers are from,” said Mrs Joseph.

Ilka requested that their proposal for a monthly Kensington meeting involving the Cleveland and Jeppe SAPS be tabled at the next cluster meeting so the Hillbrow Cluster is aware of the association’s needs and requirements.

Public meeting

Ilka invited management from the police stations to a public meeting on November 2 to discuss its proposals and come up with solutions.

At the meeting, Ilka will also announce its plans to encourage residents to become a part of the safety solution and plans to launch and get street committee’s working properly, together and with the police and respective service providers.

The meeting will be held at the Kensington Community Centre in Rhodes Park at 9am for 9.30am. Mrs Joseph urged all residents, including those residents who live in Kensington but receive the Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS, to attend this meeting.

Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the Jeppe SAPS station commander, said management will attend the meeting to listen and discuss Ilka’s proposals.

Colonel Bongani Dlamini, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, said his station management will also attend the meeting. “Both stations work as a team. The Cleveland SAPS wants to improve its fight against crime and we will listen to all possible solutions,” he said.