Helping the community

Head of the Social Crime Prevention Unit at the Edenvale Police Station, Sergeant Jacob Mashile, has a passion for helping the community and assisting those in need.

“The Social Crime Prevention Unit is the core of the station. The unit brings the community and the SAPS together,” said Sgt Mashile.

Sgt Mashile, who has been a police officer for 16 years, said he has always had a passion for helping people.

“Becoming a police officer was a calling for me. I was always helping people when I was younger. I felt very strongly about fighting crime,” said Sgt Mashile.

Growing up Sgt Mashile was raised by his grandparents while his parents were in Johannesburg.

He said his grandfather who was a reverend for the Dutch Reformed Church inspired him to do good for other people.

“I really learnt how to help people from my grandfather,” said Sgt Mashile.

He said that his grandfather taught him the values and principles he live by today.

“While I was in school I dreamt of being a police officer,” said Sgt Mashile.

He said he initially applied in 1998 to be a police officer but was told by the national SAPS that he was too small.

“In 2003 I received notification from national SAPS that my initial application was successful, I don’t know why they changed their mind,” said Mashile.

During his police career as a member of the SAPS Sgt Mashile has worked in both the Social Crime Prevention Unit and the Charge Office.

In 2015 Sgt Mashile was involved in a traffic accident in Mpumalanga.

He said he did not remember much from the incident and woke up in hospital four days later after being in a coma.

Sgt Mashile said that he suffered head injuries as a result of the accident.

“The support received from my colleagues at the Edenvale Police Station helped me recover. After the accident my mind was not clear and I still battled, my colleagues made me feel welcome,” said Sgt Mashile.

Since his traffic accident Sgt Mashile does more work at the police station.

“I don’t like the office, but I have grown as a person since the accident. My life has changed and the way I see things has changed. I think the accident was a blessing in disguise,” said Sgt Mashile.

In order to try build on and improve the positive relationship between the police and the community the Social Crime Prevention Unit has held a number of activities within the Edenvale community.

Sgt Mashile said the unit allows for coordination between the SAPS and residents and improves the relationship between the two groups.

Some of the activities that have occurred this year include:

•  The Youth Day Initiative at Don Mattera Child and Youth Care Centre with Savika Dog Unit where a presentation on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and a K9 demonstration were given.
•  The Mandela Day initiative where members from the Edenvale SAPS assisted Edenhaven Retirement Home with ork that needed to be done and donated blankets to the elderly.
•  A Women’s Day initiative where female SAPS members handed out roses and pamphlets about domestic abuse to community members.

Sgt Mashile said that he is planning more events for the remainder of the year.

“These events are very important for building the relationship between the police and the community,” said Sgt Mashile.

Sgt Mashile said he enjoys being a police officer.

“In order to live a positive life you need to have focus and respect,” said Sgt Mashile.

He said that his door is always open to the community and he invited youths from the Edenvale area interested in starting a youth desk at the Edenvale Police Station to get involved.