New station commander ready to tackle crime

The Brakpan Police Station recently welcomed new station commander Brig Fredl Jonck, who has urged the community to work together with the SAPS in the fight against crime.

Jonck has taken over the reins from Brig Johannes Manyathela, who retired at the end of last year.

Read: Brakpan SAPS lose dedicated policemen to retirement 

A Brakpan resident, Jonck has many years of service under his belt and is not new to leadership roles.

He started his policing career at the Brakpan Police Station in the late 1980s and was the station commander from 2004 to 2005.

“I know this area very well,” said Jonck.

Before this appointment, the brigadier was the station commander of the Actonville SAPS.

He has also previously been stationed at the Springs and Katlehong police stations.

Jonck is a man with a plan when it comes to tackling crime and stressed the importance of the police and the community working together.

“Community involvement is important,” he said.

“The saying that ‘members of the public are the eyes and the ears of the police’ is the truth.

“The police cannot be everywhere, and we don’t expect members of the public to do our job for us, but the public needs to be involved.

“If we get the community to be committed and involved, we will see a difference.”

He encouraged residents to join the CPF.

“We need people to come with a positive mindset, and get involved and fight crime in a positive way,” said Jonck.

The CPF fulfils a vital role in society, in assisting law enforcement officials in the fight against crime, and exists in terms of Section 18 of the SAPS Act, 1995.

The forum falls under this SAPS Act and is an integral part of sector policing.

The CPF is more than just people who patrol the streets – members can opt to assist victims of crime, assist with fund-raising and promoting the organisation or join any of its many other portfolios.

Other than getting the community on board, Jonck’s immediate plans include getting to know his colleagues and bolstering the morale at the station.

While Brakpan is not without its crime problems, last year’s crime stats for the town revealed a decrease in violent crime, such as murder and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, compared with the previous year’s statistics.

Despite this, Jonck believes there is still room for improvement.

“For me, it’s not acceptable,” he said.

“It can be improved on.”

Without revealing too much information, Jonck gave his assurance that specific ‘target areas’ will be addressed and dealt with.

“I can do my best, but not without the community’s co-operation,” he added.

The station commander is not one for sitting in his office all day and when there are no meetings or crime discussions in which he must participate, he is out on patrols or attending crime scenes.

When he is not upholding the law, he enjoys watching rugby and is a staunch Stormers supporter.