The Bedfordview SAPS Sector 1 and 2 CPF meeting was held on March 25 at the Italian Club, Bedfordview. Sector 1 and 2 manager, Constable Sibusiso Msiza, welcomed attendees and reminded all that Sector 1 is from Senderwood, Morninghill, Eastgate, Bedford Gardens, and extends up to the highway.

From the N3 Eastern Bypass, coming all the way up to the Italian Club until Meadowdale is Sector 2.

Constable Msiza shared that every Friday, there is a Vispol Commanders’ Operation led by their Vispol Commander, Captain Mokoena, together with the CPF, to combat drinking and driving and other crimes.

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He also shared that various units conduct different operations; for instance, the Shanela operations, which are conducted regularly at the national and district levels to deal with undocumented nationals.

Sector 1 chairperson Pieter Meyer reported that they conducted a large raid on March 19, removing homeless people from illegally occupied properties; however, the issue required public involvement as well.

Sector 2 chairperson Jacques Steyn reported that they trained patrollers so that they were skilled for the task.

Public Relations Officer James Chang commended the team for dedicating long hours to their work and making a difference in the community. He also encouraged people to open cases at the police station.

Responding to that in her address, Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys pleaded with people to open cases because it is the only system we have, and we have to make it work.

The councillor also spoke about the issue of abandoned buildings and said they attract homeless people and also lead to a lot of crime.

Humphreys said homeless people’s shelters are either full or the homeless people don’t want to go there because there are rules which they don’t want to comply with. She said the law does not allow you to force people into homeless shelters.

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“So it is a national problem caused by a collapsed economy, and people end up living in informal settlements.

Some of these informal settlements, such as Makause, which is just over the mountain from us, are riddled with the zama-zamas who are heavily armed, so much so that EMPD and SAPS actually have been advised not to go there without an army,” Humphreys explained.

She also acknowledged that people live in stormwater drains. The councillor said there is a network of stormwater drains under the highways, which are part of Sanral.

She added that Sanral recommended regular clean-ups of the drains.

Another attendee at the meeting suggested that the issues raised needed all stakeholders to be involved.

She said public comment helped ensure that suggestions and amendments became bylaws that could be enforced, rather than just policies that did not empower stakeholders.