Residents demand policing

MMC for Community Safety Lehlohonolo Moseki had a meeting with the community of Leondale on April 26 to address concerns about crime.

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SAPS and EMPD were invited to be part of the meeting but only the latter attended.

The community members expressed their frustration and accused authorities of a lack of service from law enforcement agencies.

Residents’ grievances included a lack of police visibility and patrols as well as poor response times.
Ward committee member Cikizwa Kali, whose portfolio is public safety, said all law enforcement is failing the community.

“Leondale is infested with crime and as the community, we feel that law enforcement does not care. Police do not come into the area after 21:00. It’s as if we are in no man’s land. We need help and we need it now,” said Kali.
She said both EMPD and SAPS need to play their part because they all doing nothing.

“We are disappointed that the SAPS is not present because we have several questions for them. We need answers to cases that have had no progress or feedback from complainants. Where is the justice in that?”

The community of Leondale is demanding a police station in their area and requested SAPS to respond with an answer within seven days.

“Elsburg and Alberton statiosn are far to travel. We need a police station in the community. This request is not a new one, as it has been on the table for the last five years.

“All we have been getting are promises. The last time we were told to identify an area where it can be built. This was done by residents and nothing happened since,” said Kali.

Kali added that the handling of cases in Elsburg is concerning.

“Cases go cold and there are numerous cases where no feedback is given and no arrests have been made.”

He pointed to the Nikiwe Lutshiti who reportedly was burnt to death.

“Nothing was done about that case and that is just one of the many outstanding ones. We have a list of them. We need the law and authorities to protect us,” said Kali.

Moseki said they will put the necessary operations in place to address residents’ concerns.

EMPD committed to addressing by-law contraventions that were raised.

“We will plan operations with all necessary law enforcement to address all the issues raised by the community,” said EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa.

GCN attempted to obtain comment from the SAPS and was referred to the provincial office of the SAPS.

Comment was requested by April 28 at 15:00. At the time of going to print on April 29, no comment had been received.