Little help from SAPS following a rape in Hazel Park
Her daughter was raped and her daughter’s boyfriend was assaulted at gunpoint near a destitute railway in Hazel Park.
Following a rape incident, a Hazel Park mother *Mary expressed dissatisfaction with the service of the Germiston SAPS. She said her daughter was raped and her daughter’s boyfriend was assaulted at gunpoint near a destitute railway in Hazel Park.
This area was described as a crime hot spot due to trains no longer passing through. Mary’s daughter said the attack took place on March 10 at about 6.30pm.
The incident was reported to the Germiston SAPS and the family said they had not received any feedback.
Mary’s daughter visited the police station on March 20 and was told the case was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
“I requested the contact number of the investigating officer. I contacted the FCS on March 23 and I was informed that I should call in the morning as the person who answered the cellphone was not in the office. An hour later, I received a call from a constable who informed me that she received my message and she was handling this case,” said Mary.
Her daughter said the service they got from the SAPS was very poor because no one followed up on the case.
“My plea is that this matter is prioritised and treated with the urgency it deserves. We were injured physically, sexually and emotionally; however, it seems this case is being taken not seriously.”
The Germiston SAPS spokesperson, Const Maxwell Mabunda, was requested to comment on the allegations by March 26 at 1 pm. At the time of going to print on April 12, no comment had been received
In a bid for help, Mary said she sent a WhatsApp message on March 15 to Ward 39 Clr Alta de Beer, providing details of the incident and asked for her assistance.
De Beer said the crime rate in Germiston is very high and the incident is heartbreaking.
“The Rail Agency is not a local government competency and I informed the complainant that I need to source information on how to find the correct channel to find a solution regarding the situation on the railway properties.”
De Beer said crime was reported from various community members emanating from the Rail Agency’s properties.
“The communities include Parkhill Gardens, Webber, Mimosa Park, Elsburg and Hazel Park.”
She said in attempts to address concerns, she plans to:
• Petition Prasa and Transnet regarding the maintenance of the properties, security and repair of the fences
• Initiate an oversight visit of hot pots by members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and Parliament
A plea for help to the chairperson of the LamDel Residents Association
Mary also reached out to the chairperson of the LamDel Residents Association’s, Jakkie Janse van Vuuren. Van Vuuren said the incident should never have happened.
“The terrible state of the railway line is a huge concern for us. Since rail services diminished, it has been a haven of crime and attracts all the wrong elements to our area. “We have seen an increase in electrical cable and sub-station thefts, and I attributed this to the quick getaway routes and access through the railway line.”
Van Vuuren added she was approached by the family of the victims and asked to intervene. “They indicated they were angry that for two weeks no contact from the SAPS. I contacted an officer in the SAPS and the head of Germiston CPF to bring this matter to their attention. “LamDel called a block meeting to allow the community to raise their frustrations and to also start discussions to formulate a plan going forward.”
In response to the incident, a meeting was held with LamDel, CPF representatives and residents.
“It was decided to formulate a block committee that will represent the community and the leader of the committee will work with LamDel and the CPF on executing a way forward,” said van Vuuren.
LamDel committed to having the next community clean-up at the railway line.
“We also agreed to petition Prasa and the minister of transport to take note and action concerning the poor state of the railway.”
She added that LamDel is perturbed by the increase in crimes in their area.
“With street lights off for months and the constant power outages, we are rolling out a red carpet and inviting criminals in,” said van Vuuren.
Provincial SAPS office requested to help
In another bid for help, the family approached the provincial SAPS office.
“We were turned away without even submitting the letter of concern,” said Mary. Colonel Brenda Muridili, the media relations officer of Gauteng SAPS, told the GCN that Mary’s letter sent with GCN’s enquiry was forwarded to the national service complaints centre.
“I believe that after receiving the letter they will follow up with the complaint. If a complaint is registered, then it will form part of the investigation.”
Muridili said members of the community are encouraged to report poor service delivery by any SAPS employee.
Residents are advised to register a complaint by calling 0800 333 177 or fax 012 393 5452 or email service complaints to service@saps.gov.za.
• *Name changed to protect the victim of an alleged sexual offence.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
