Fear grips Thokoza as residents demand urgent police action

Community members claim they no longer feel safe because Thokoza is ravaged by crime.

The community members revealed this during the District Operation Shanela Imbizo that was held at the open veld near Umkhathizwe Primary School in Phenduka Section, Thokoza, on September 25.

Community members reiterated that the Thokoza area is affected by robberies, hijackings and murders.

A community member of Slovo Section in Thokoza, Thulani Mngomezulu, said community members are continuously robbed at the open veld in Phenduka Section, near Umkhathizwe Primary School.

“There are recurring murders here in Thokoza, and they need to be eradicated.

“Hijackings are also committed extensively in our area, even when I’m driving my own car, I no longer feel safe, I become worried when I see a car following me,” said Mngomezulu.

He mentioned that there’s a dilapidated building at the corner of Nkaki and Tshabalala Streets in Phenduka Section, which has become a den for thieves and drug addicts.

“We want the building to be demolished, because it exacerbates the criminal activities that are already happening in our area.

“We need police visibility in our area, especially at problematic areas, especially at the open veld near Umkhathizwe Primary School, where lifeless bodies of people are being found, and people are also robbed in the space.”

Another community member of Ntabantsimbi Section in Thokoza, Lerato Sibiya, emphasised that the open veld near the primary school is very dangerous, because every week people are killed or robbed in the area.

“Police are hardly visible, but we only see them when they are collecting cold drinks at various tuck-shops around the area.

“We are also not happy with the response time of the police whenever we report a criminal activity.”

He added they are happy to hear that police are willing to work with community members to combat crime.

“What causes the crime rampage is that young people are unemployed and they are idling in the corners.

“As community members, we are willing to work with the police to fight crime, because really we don’t feel safe anymore,” Sibiya expressed.

The Vosloorus Station Commander, Brigadier Ntombizini Thethe, who was leading the Operation Shanela Imbizo in Thokoza, said they heard the outcries of the community members, and they will do everything in their power as the police to address them.

“The police officers of Thokoza, led by the Station Commander of the Station, Brigadier Chairman Makhubo, are already fighting the crime scourge through weekly crime-combating operations.

“As the police, when we are informed that there’s a crime-riddled area in our community, we identify that area as a hotspot, and we frequently patrol the area, which will include the problematic open veld,” Thethe shared.

She added that in order for them as police officers to combat crime in Thokoza, they need the community members’ help.

“The community members mustn’t be afraid to inform the police if there are people they suspect of being criminals in their area. The police will surely take action after they are informed and protect the identity of the whistleblower.

“Regarding the dilapidated structure which has turned into a den for thieves, we are going to discuss it as police officers and see to it that it’s demolished, but bearing in mind that it’s a privately owned structure, so we need permission from the property’s owners.”

She added if community members have issues with police officers who are corrupt, they must inform the station commander at Thokoza Police Station.

“The station commander’s office is open to the public. People who have grievances must inform the station commander.

“We are here to encourage community members not to turn a blind eye to any criminal activities that are happening around their areas and to report them whenever they witness them.

The Ekurhuleni SAPS District spokesperson, Captain Neldah Sekgobela, said police apprehended more than 234 suspects during the two Operation Shanela that were simultaneously held in Thokoza and Reiger Park from September 24 to 25.

“In a detective-driven operation, 173 suspects were arrested on September 24 across the Ekurhuleni District and among the arrested suspects, 62 of them were apprehended during the two Operation Shanela that were simultaneously conducted in the Reigerpark and Thokoza areas.

“Thirty six illegal immigrants were arrested, 74 Traffic fines to the value of R31 200, 00 were issued, ten vehicles impounded,  five suspects arrested for Possession of illicit cigarettes,  four suspects for possession of drugs,  six illegal shebeens were closed down, one  suspect was arrested for attempted murder,  one suspect for dealing in drugs and  another one for possession of dangerous weapon (Replica firearm).”

She added that detectives arrested suspects for different crimes.

“One hundred ten were arrested for contact crimes, ten for contact-related crimes, 47 for other serious crimes, six for property crimes, and 23 for GBV.

“In parallel to the detectives’ pre-operations, members of SAPS Ekurhuleni crime intelligence also managed to arrest five suspects for dealing in drugs,  one for possession of stolen property (Copper cables)and another one for dealing in dagga,” Sekgobela shared.

The community members of Thokoza can contact the following police officers when they witness any criminal activities in their area: Thokoza SAPS station commander, Chairman Makhubo on 082 822 8103, Vispol commander Lieutenant Colonel Falaza Mathebula on 082 461 2792, detective commander Lieutenant Colonel Victor Mawelela on 082 822 8014, Sector 2 manager Warrant Officer Phineas Ledwaba on 071 675 7475, and Charge Office on 071 675 6930.