Residents criticise Crystal Park SAPS over delayed responses

Frustrated residents of Cloverdene, Chief Albert Luthuli Park and the N12 informal settlement have raised serious concerns about poor police visibility, delayed response times and a general lack of support from law enforcement in their communities.

They revealed these issues during a SAPS imbizo on May 8 in Chief Albert Luthuli Park, where station commanders from Crystal Park, Benoni, Daveyton, Actonville, Boksburg North and more attended.

Community members said they often struggled to get police help in emergencies, with some saying the SAPS repeatedly told them there were no available vehicles when they reported crimes or requested assistance.

“When we call the police to attend to complaints at our homes, they tell us there are no vehicles available, yet we often see State vehicles parked at officers’ houses or near local shops where bribes are allegedly taken,” one resident complained.

Residents accused the SAPS of prioritising minor offences like confiscating alcohol from vendors, while ignoring more pressing criminal matters.

“Police vehicles are always seen transporting confiscated alcohol instead of tackling serious crimes in the area,” another resident said.

Boniswa Dingi, a resident of Chief Albert Luthuli for decades, criticised the absence of a satellite police station in Chief Albert Luthuli Park. She said residents, including elderly people without family support, were forced to travel long distances to the Crystal Park Police Station just to certify documents or make affidavits.

Local patroller commander Ali Nkosi, from phase two in Chief Albert Luthuli, said the community patrol groups’ efforts to combat crime are hampered by the police’s slow response.

“We don’t sleep at night trying to protect our community, but the police fail us. They arrive two hours after an incident,” he said, urging the SAPS to work closely with community safety structures.

Another community leader, Andile Makhubo, criticised the instability caused by constant changes in station leadership and called on SAPS to consider the area’s growth and needs.

Other issues included fears of illegal mining, electricity technicians refusing to work in the area without police escorts, and the broader sense of insecurity plaguing the community.

“We live like rats in our own country. We are not safe. We feel abandoned,” said one resident.

In response, Colonel Khumbulani Mbatha, the Benoni SAPS station commander, acknowledged the concerns.

He urged residents to report poor conduct or non-responsiveness so they could be investigated.

“If officers do not do their jobs, report them. Write to us or contact the relief commander directly,” he said.

He admitted some areas were high-risk, requiring backup before officers could respond, but assured the community that the SAPS would take steps to improve service delivery.

“As police officers, we commit to pulling up our socks and taking these concerns seriously,” he said.

Mbatha said Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Mahlangu, the Crystal Park station commander, would escalate these issues, including the need for a local satellite station.

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