The Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF) held its first broader forum meeting for the year on April 25.
The meeting was one of four meetings planned for the year.
“The past few months have been hectic but things are coming together in Edenvale,” said ECPF chairperson Sheryl Damerell.
At the meeting, Damerell introduced Col Sudesh Sookraj, the new station commander for Edenvale, to community members in attendance.
“The ECPF are really thrilled to have the colonel in Edenvale. We have been really spoiled,” said Damerell.
“We hope that he will build on the structures the former station commander, Brigadier Steven Moodley, established in Edenvale.”
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Sookraj assured the community that under his leadership the Edenvale SAPS will provide the best possible service to the community.
“The police are not above the law and will abide by the constitution of South Africa,” he said.
“We will be guided by the community and work together with all community members to defeat crime in Edenvale.”
Octavia Ngwenya from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety thanked the ECPF for what they have achieved and done for their community.
“Being a member of the CPF can be an unthankful job, we at the department applaud you.”
Ngwenya reminded the community that although they are partners of the SAPS they are not police offers themselves.
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She urged the community to work with the police to identify problems, find solutions and implement them.
“Edenvale needs to support the new station commander,” said Ngwenya.
“As a community, you may fight with each other but we should not lose focus. Crime is the enemy.”
Lt Col Susan Mathebule, head of Edenvale SAPS’ Detective Services, said on March 23 convictions were made.
The convictions included cases of possession of drugs, shoplifting, intimidation, contempt of court, illegal possession of a firearm, fraud and drug trafficking.
Col Jimmy Munzhelele, head of Edenvale SAPS’ Visible Policing Unit, said although there had been a recent decrease in contact crimes, burglaries, theft of motor vehicles and theft out of motor vehicles remained a concern for the police station.
“To combat these crimes, we will have more roadblocks, and patrollers on the roads,” said Munzhelele.
Damerell said although there would only be four broader forum meetings in the year, the sector crime forums would meet on a monthly basis.
She encouraged the community to attend their sector meetings.
The next broader forum meeting will be held on July 25 in Sector Two.
