Col Mduduzi Khuzwayo, who recently took over as station commander of the Primrose Police Station, was a guest speaker at a community meeting in Primrose, last Saturday.
He said if the public need to find him, he can be found on the streets, fighting crime.
He warned criminals and even his own SAPS members that he will not tolerate crime or corruption in any form and invited the public to assist in the fight against crime by being the eyes and ears against criminals in our area.
Max Katz, from the Primrose CPF, said: “There is an increase in crime in all of Gauteng, but we feel it more in Primrose Sector Three, as this is traditionally one of safest areas in the Germiston Cluster, which includes Alberton, Bedfordview, Brackendowns, Elsburg, Germiston and the other two sectors of Primrose.”
“The types of crime we now experience are far worse than what we were used to.”
He urged residents to join the Sector Three Crime Forum or other CPF groups.
Katz appealed to everyone to put their compliments and complaints in writing and to provide the details of any criminals they may be aware of in the area.
These details can be sent to Katz via email, at max@telkomsa.net, or by fax on 0866 359 330.
He said people must always include names and contact details which, if requested, can remain confidential.
He can also be contacted on 083 343 9675 in emergencies, for more information or to assist the Primrose CPF or any of its sub-forums.
During the meeting, Khehla Khambule, from the Gauteng MEC’s office, urged the community to form smaller groups (a Block Watch), where residents become aware of each other, get to know their neighbours and become aware of who and what is in their own street.
“If we all have a whistle which can be used to alert groups to suspicious activity or danger it will make it easier to look out for each other and assist us to protect the elderly and more vulnerable community members around us,” Khambule said.
Smaller Whatsapp groups have been very successful in alerting groups to suspicious activities.
Anyone wanting help to start a street group or block watch should contact Kobus van Rensburg on 083 776 5896 as there is a captain for street leaders in each sector.
Khuzwayo thanked the group gathered at Leeuwenhof Akademie and recognised the fact that there were challenges ahead.
“While this meeting was in session, operations were taking place to close a number of taverns in the Makause informal settlement,” he said.
“Primrose is going to war against criminals.
“The community and the SAPS have agreed that, together, we will no longer allow drug dealers to operate in our area.”
Confidential tip-offs should be given directly to the station commander or SMSed to 061 492 7648.
The first step to getting rid of crime is to report it.
