Jeppe SAPS Sector 1 Crime Forum elects new committee

The Jeppe SAPS Sector 1 Crime Forum, which is the biggest sector under the Jeppe SAPS policing precinct, held its Sector Crime Forum elections recently.

The first elections were for the Sector 1 Sub Crime Forum, held at the Mandeville Sports Centre on March 18.

The main Sector 1 Crime Forum held its elections on March 19, where Mr Zola Dambula was unanimously re-elected as the chairperson.

In attendance were the Hillbrow cluster chairperson Mr Phillimon Mokgesi and Mr Thabo Thipe, from the department of community safety.

The members elected for the sub forum included Mr Glen Mokwana as the chairperson, Ms Angie Burger as the deputy chairperson and Ms Charmaine Bharoochie as the secretary.

Additional members are Mr Mike Tyler and Ms Nombuso Luthuli. Mr Tyler will also be responsible for recruiting the youth and street patrollers for the forum. Ms Claudia Mogale, Mr Mervin Muntz and Mr Emmanuel will represent the youth.

Members of the main sector are Mr Zola Dambula as the chairperson, Mr Tony Jardim as deputy chairperson and Ms Patty Naidu as the secretary.

Mr Dambula said the sub forum was created as the sector is too big and it was difficult for members staying in 5th Street to 10th Street to meet at Hofland Park.

“To cater for those members, a sub forum was created but they work hand-in-hand with the main forum said Mr Dambula.

“Whatever we plan, we plan for both the main and the sub forum,” he said.

Mr Dambula said as a forum, they are working hard to overcome challenges faced during the previous term. He said some challenges remain which include hijacking, house robberies, street robberies, theft out of motor vehicles and robberies at businesses including spaza shops.

“Please note that these challenges are not limited only to Sector 1, but the entire Jeppe SAPS police precinct,” said Mr Dambula.

He said steps have been taken to address the challenges through the creation of street committees and the awareness of hot spots.

“We have also created awareness of criminal patterns and crimes committed, street patroller initiatives and we are involved in vigorous engagement with the Jeppe SAPS management to increase police visibility,” he said.

Mr Dambula said they are also committed to working with all stakeholders in areas like Troyeville, Bertrams, Judith’s Paarl, Doornfontein and Kensington, as crime affects everyone in one way or the other.

“We are humbled to have a youth representative for the first time in our sector to look into matters that are seriously affecting our youth,” he said.

Mr Dambula said they are also working closely with the Jeppe SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, which deals with issues like domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse. He said the the unit has a number of campaigns in schools to highlight the dangers of substance abuse and cases of domestic violence.

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