The CPF Sector Three meeting was held on September 10 in Kirschner Road, Brentwood Park.
The meeting was attended by CPF patrollers, Benoni SAPS station commander Brig Ntakuseni Lukhwareni, Vispol commander Lt Col Nhlanhla Shibambu, sector commander Louwtjie Bekker, CMS co-owner Manny Ferreirinha and various community stakeholders.
Concerned community members showed up in their numbers following the murder of Brentwood Park resident Wynand Labuschagne (27).
READ:
Brentwood Park murder leaves community aghast
Labuschagne was shot and killed at his home in a complex at around 3.10am on September 6.
Some of the main points of discussion on the night included:
• Criminal activity in complexes and the recent escalation of house break-ins and robberies
• Criminals using veld areas as hiding places
• Police visibility and the associated resources
• Security companies and their protocol to crime scene containment
• The relationship between security companies, the CPF and the SAPS
“There are seven sectors in Benoni and ideally there is a patrol vehicle for each sector,” said Lukhwareni.
“At present, we have five cars patrolling the seven sectors.
“I understand this is not ideal, but we are working with the resources we have and it is important to take into consideration other factors such as repairs to these vehicles that are running 24/7.
“I would like to see two vehicles per sector, but our resources are limited.
“I have addressed the lack of resources with the provincial team.
“The crime in the area is not unique to this area alone, but we do have a special task team working who has been deployed here.”
The brigadier added Labuschagne’s murder was a sensitive case that was under investigation.
“We are in grief, anguish and living in constant fear,” said one community member.
“My concern is the safety of the entire community,” said Lukhwareni.
“I will be addressing matters of concern regarding security companies with the relevant parties so they stick to their limits.”
CMS co-owner Manny Ferreirinha said his team would work with the relevant stakeholders in terms of crime fighting and acknowledged the SAPS’s lack of resources and added structure to work together is essential for the community.
Lukhwareni added police visibility would be worked on and that he liked the idea of a veld clean up.
“Crime prevention concerns have been noted, but I also want to ensure that we catch the culprits and keep them where they are supposed to be.”
Lukhwareni reminded community members that crime scenes cannot, by law, be tampered with by anyone, not even security companies.
“It is difficult to have a successful conviction in court if the scene is tampered with.
“I have also noticed a culture emerging of reporting incidents to others and not the SAPS and this needs to be addressed.
“We are aiming to be efficient with the resources we do have and will continue to do so until more resources are available.”
