New EMPD chief talks tough
The new head of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, Bafana Andries Mahlabe, has appealed to law-abiding residents around Kathorus to take him into their confidence in his promise to rid the townships of lawlessness and clean the streets of the scourge of the drug, nyaope, and its effects on young people.
The inauguration ceremony of the new chief was officiated by Gauteng Police commissioner Lieut-Gen Leseja Mothiba and was hosted by the mayor, Mondli Gungubele, who hailed the occasion as a turning-point” for the metropolitan municipality and its people.
Delivering his inaugural speech outside the council chambers at the Germiston municipal offices during the ceremony on Thursday, October, 22, Mahlabe, told the audience of local businesses, residents and invited guests to assist him and his team in cleaning-up the townships, towns and cities of crime and criminals.
He urged communities to report all acts of criminality in their areas as part of his new campaign against crime.
Mahlabe also warned criminals in general and drug-dealers in particular that their days of flooding the streets with nyaope are soon to be over.
“We are launching “Operation Bumber to Bumper” and soon criminals will have no place to hide”, warned Mahlabe.
To the loitering youths in the townships, the new chief of the EMPD, had stern fatherly advice. “You will either have to be in class at school, at work or in a rehabilitation centre”.
To his subordinates and colleagues within the EMPD, Mahlabe, was just as blunt and “pulled no punches” in hitting out against bribery, corruption and inefficiency in the ranks. “It does not matter how long you’ve been working for the metro, but from now on, we are going to be working better as metro officers and my expectations of you as a metro cop is that of a public protector and law-enforcer”, hailed Mahlabe through the microphone to the scores of metro officers in attendance.
Mahlabe’s message to the illegal immigrants, who have turned most former towns around the east into drug dens rife with prostitution, was; “We will be coming after you soon.”
The occasion was graced by the local Ekurhuleni Choir which entertained the audience while a parade by the various components of the EMPD, including the brass band, treated the guests to a display of drills.
