Community called to join hands with police in the fight against crime

Gauteng police commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela visited the Germiston Police Station and engaged with the community about crime in the area.

February 10, 2020

Leigh Hodgson 2 minutes read

Ward 36 councillor Wendy Morgan, Ward 37 councillor Tiaan Kotzè and community safety representative Jean Ingram were among the guests at the Germiston SAPS community imbizo last Saturday.

Forty police stations were identified as contributing 51.1 per cent of the overall crime in Gauteng, and among them was Germiston Police Station.

With this in mind, Germiston police station commander Brig Nkhensani Lemba invited residents to attend a community imbizo at the Germiston Police Station last Saturday.

ALSO READ: Lemba in the hot seat at CPF Imbizo

During the imbizo, Gauteng police commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela spoke to the community about crime in the area and what they can do to assist the police in the fight against crime.

“I am here to engage with the community and show them the crime statistics within their space,” said Mawela ahead of the meeting.

“We also want to mobilise the community and encourage them to work with the police to reduce crime.

“It is my belief that if we are able to reduce crime in the 40 identified police stations, then the overall picture of crime in Gauteng will change.”

Mawela explained that the community can get involved in the fight against crime by being more aware of their surroundings and environment.

“Residents need to be aware of their own environment,” said Mawela.

“They need to be streetwise and take note of who is around them and their properties when they are entering and leaving their homes.

“The community also needs to be the eyes and ears of the police, and report any suspicious activities or people in their community to their nearest police station.”

Mawela further encouraged residents to make a noise about crime and to talk about what is happening in their communities.

“Work hand in hand with the police and get other community members involved in crime-fighting projects,” said Mawela.

When it came to school safety, Mawela urged parents and guardians to set a good example.

“When it comes to schools, we need to remember that these children come from homes, so we need to work not only with schools, principals and teachers, but parents as well.

“We need to ensure we protect our children.”

Mawela urged the business community to also help in the fight against crime by increasing their security.

“Put up CCTV cameras, even if their own business is not robbed it may help in solving other crimes in the area,” said Mawela.

Before the start of the meeting, Mawela drove through Germiston with Lemba, Renee Germishuisen (chairperson of Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF, Germiston Station and Ekurhuleni West Zone) and other SAPS members.

After the drive, he mentioned that he could see the decay of the surrounding town, and could not believe his eyes.

He once again encouraged the community to engage with the SAPS in the war against crime.

“The police cannot fight crime on their own,” said Mawela.

ALSO READ: Germiston police tackle crime in their area

Ward 36 councillor Wendy Morgan, who attended the meeting, commented, “It is good to know that the Gauteng police commissioner is taking an interest in crime in Germiston, and I hope he will also come to Primrose.

“During the imbizo, the topic of police reservists once again came up.

“It is reported that due to reservists not being able to do their firearm competency tests, as there is no funding for the bullets, reservists are not able to work and assist the SAPS.

“This is very sad as reservists patrol for free and are extra eyes and ears on the ground.

“This is such a waste of valuable resources and as the SAPS does not have the manpower to cope with crime – the reservists play a vital role in crime prevention and should be utilised.”