Benoni needs a permanent station commander

The lack of a permanent commander at the Benoni Police Station is proving a challenge, according to Benoni CPF executive chairperson Reza Patel.

Patel was speaking at the Benoni CPF AGM, in the Benoni City Hall, on October 30.

For the past 12 months, since the departure of Brig Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the station has had station commanders only in an acting capacity.

Mariemuthoo was removed from his post as the station commander of Benoni after figures revealed in the Gauteng Legislature showed his prolonged absence from work since he took over the reins at the Benoni Police Station some three years ago.

In March, figures showed the brigadier had taken 106 days sick leave, 39 days study leave, 122 days normal vacation and capped leave, as well as three days of family responsibility leave.

Gauteng police spokesman Brig Neville Malila then confirmed that internal processes were underway to deal with the issue, but he refused to share the specifics, citing worker-employee confidentiality.

The CPF believes the lack of a station commander is not positive for the fight against crime.

“We have petitioned for a permanent station commander and we don’t care who they appoint; all we need is a station commander who can give the station direction,” said Patel.

Benoni police cluster commander Brig Vuyokazi Ndebele told the City Times that the issue of the station commander is being delayed due to the finalisation of the Mariemuthoo matter, and that the position will be advertised as soon as his matter has been finalised.

At the AGM, Patel also listed many other “challenges” facing the local cops, since the station has had no permanent visible policing head for a long period.

He said this position also needs to be filled, to ensure continuity in crime-fighting strategies.

Furthermore, Patel said, Benoni needs permanent high speed police cars.

“We pay taxes and we have the right to have these cars, to be enable us to chase after criminals,” he said.

“Our sectors also don’t have enough patrol vehicles and this is also on the list of our demands.”

The unapologetic chairperson also took swipe at the community and lambasted those hiring “undocumented aliens”.

“We are aware that community members hire them because they pay them peanuts and sometimes you find more than two employed on one property but the danger is that it is easy for these people to rape, murder and steal, as they are not traceable and, again, they won’t hesitate to give out information to criminals, because they don’t earn much,” said Patel.

He called for collective efforts from the community to fight crime, saying Benoni is at the mercy of criminals.

“Our geographical area allows us to be hit from all sides by criminals from all areas, including Katlehong, Tembisa and Daveyton,” said Patel.