Top cops meet in Katlehong to discuss crime

High-profile Katlehong members of the West Zone District gathered in what can be described as one of the biggest crime intelligence discussions, held behind closed doors at the Sam Ntuli Mall, on Friday, October 21.

Present at the meeting was the Katlehong station commander Brigadier Vesi together with her management team.

Community leaders, Vispol commander Colonel Erasmus, acting branch commander Lieutenant Colonel Sekhu, Vispol support commander Captain Shezi Cimic, acting commander Sargeant Seduana, Gauteng Traffic, CPF chairperson Phindile Ntuli and members of the Crime Intelligence community also attended.

Top on the agenda was high-density policing, which focuses on improved ways that have been introduced to fight crime. Part of this is staging roadblocks and anti-crime operations.

Also in attendance were Ward 59 Clr Thandi, the Sam Ntuli Mall center manager Lerato, representatives from the City of Ekurhuleni, social auxiliary personnel from Ekupholeni as well as hostel leaders (Izinduna).

According to Constable Sivenkosi Mtwa, discussions were tabled and after hours of deliberation, everyone seemed to have one common goal at the end, which is to fight crime and maintain law and order by all means. The top cop engagements were also widely commended by Brigadier Vesi.

Addressing those gathered, Vesi said: “As a leader, I know how difficult it is to lead people, but I want to encourage each and every one of you to come directly to my office to address any issues that may lead to crime being committed.

“Let us not wait for it to happen but, rather, let us sit down and prevent it from happening. I don’t want Katlehong to be a no go zone area under our watch as leaders.”

Katlehong is one of the townships that has high crime with vehicle hijacking at the top of the list. Recently, the police in Katlehong also conducted several foot paroles in the streets of several suburbs, including in the upper-market residential area of Spruitview which has recently been plagued by an increase in home burglaries and vehicle thefts.

As the festive season draws closer, Mutwa said the police were even more determined than ever to ensure that criminals do not take over the streets.

The SAPS, together with units of the Gauteng Traffic, have been conducting roadblocks and stop-and-search patrols throughout the hours of the day and night.

Mutwa warned that the police will begin their pre-Christmas clean-up from now on until well into the New Year. Liquor traders who are not compliant as well as illicit drug dealers, warned Mutwa, will be targeted during the raids to maintain law and order in the townships.

He added that policing successes have already led to large numbers of alleged law-breakers being arrested. Among these were motorists who were arrested for drunken driving, while at least 40 liquor outlets were forced to close for trading without a licence.

On September 3, a popular Katlehong tavern frequented by the townships’ young socialites, was the scene of a stampede after it was overwhelmed by a large number of patrons attending a social event.

Earlier, another tavern, popularly known as Mputlane’s Inn, was the scene of a tavern shooting where patrons were randomly shot and killed by unknown gunmen.

Two people were reported to have been killed during the incident where the attackers are alleged to have targeted patrons inside the tavern during the shooting spree which took place in July.

Lieutenant General Elias Mawela from the provincial SAPS commended the team responsible for the arrest of the suspect at the time.

The suspect later made his first court appearance at the Palm Ridge Courts on July 25.

Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus together with Zonkizizwe have been rated by residents as top crime spots.