Primrose SAPS tackle issues of crime in churches and schools

Primrose SAPS station commander Colonel Eunice Nzuza convened a meeting with representatives from local churches and schools to address pressing crime and safety issues.

Pastors and principals converged at East Rand Academy of Excellence seeking solutions to their grievances.

Primrose SAPS communications officer Sergeant Styles Maome welcomed the guests. He highlighted that SAPS had met with pastors last month to discuss problems faced by churches.

ALSO READ: SAPS charges woman with R3-million fraud

Leading the agenda was crime in churches and creating safer schooling learning environments.

Opening the floor pastors shared their challenges with the station commander.

Their list of grievances included a burglary at churches, hijacking of church offerings, and liquor outlets operating close to churches to name a few.

The school representatives highlighted that they are faced with challenges of learner transport drivers playing loud music during schooling hours, illegal vendors selling goods around the school premises and child neglect.

Dawnview High School principal Moeketsie Kolokoto raised concerns regarding learners using of weed and alcohol.

“As a school, we have our internal means to deal with learners found with dagga but the challenge is that we cannot quantify the grams of weed we confiscate from learners and we cannot test if the cookies are laced with weed or not,” said Kolokoto.

ALSO READ: Wealthy residents not the only targets for ransom kidnappings – SAPS

Giving feedback to the audience Nzuza advised church leaders to follow the following safety guidelines:

• They must consider getting security.
• Get local CPF involved to patrol the area during services.
• Don’t keep large amounts of money at the church premises.
• Get involved with sector managers.

According to Nzuza, those who have been drinking in public have been arrested while illegal liquor stores are being closed.

“In our next meeting we will invite members of the Liquor Board, EMPD, and liquor outlet owners to deal with challenges relating to liquor establishments,” said Nzuza.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni District SAPS welcomes 250 new members

“The SAPS continue to visit schools to make sure that illicit goods are removed from schools. An officer has been designated for each school to adopt said school to address the issues.

“The Scholar Transport Association will also be invited to discuss challenges in student transportation and drivers’ behaviour. We must ensure that their vehicles are registered and kept up-to-date,” said Nzuza.