In an effort to rebuild trust and strengthen community safety, Germiston police and other stakeholders visited Dukathole informal settlement on Thursday last week to engage with residents on the growing crime challenges affecting the area.

The community engagement session brought together police officers, local leadership, and residents, creating a platform for open dialogue on safety concerns and the urgent need for cooperation between the community and lawenforcement authorities.

Residents used the opportunity to voice their longstanding frustrations. Among these concerns is the lack of a dedicated police patrol vehicle servicing the settlement.

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Community members said the shortage severely limits police visibility and response times, leaving residents vulnerable to crime.

The community members requested the establishment of a satellite police station in Dukathole, which residents believe would significantly improve accessibility to policing services and restore confidence in law enforcement.

Another major concern raised was the police’s lack of follow-up on reported cases. Residents complained that many dockets appear to stall, contributing to mistrust and, in some instances, fuelling acts of mob justice.

Police officials warned that mob justice remains illegal and dangerous, stressing that taking the law into one’s own hands undermines justice and places innocent lives at risk.

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“You cannot use violence as a solution to crime. We urge the community to report criminal activity and allow investigations to run their course,” advised Colonel Zonele Qangase.

To strengthen crime-fighting efforts, the police encouraged residents to participate in the CPF, describing it as a vital bridge between the SAPS and the community.

“Without community involvement, policing alone cannot succeed. The CPF helps to identify crime patterns, improve communication and restore safety,” said Qangase.

Regarding a satellite police station, Qangase referenced the settlement’s tragic history, recalling the fatal attack on two police officers in the area. One officer lost his life, and one was critically injured, leading to his retirement.

“Such incidents cast a shadow of danger. Also, the police don’t have enough manpower for a satellite office,” explained Qangase.

Councillor calls for respect and cooperation

Ward 35 Clr Ntuthuzelo Mpambani echoed the police’s message, urging residents to respect law-enforcement officers and service providers working in the area. He expressed concern over repeated incidents where residents block essential services from being delivered, warning that such actions only worsen conditions in the settlement.

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“Blocking service delivery is not helping Dukathole. It delays development, discourages emergency response, and puts lives at risk. We are creating unnecessary fear for ourselves,” said Mpambani.

He noted that this incident continues to cast a dark shadow, with emergency services, particularly ambulances, often reluctant to enter the settlement due to fears of being attacked.

This reluctance had devastating consequences, especially during medical emergencies and shack fires.

He further highlighted that fires frequently spiral out of control because residents prevent fire trucks from entering the area.

“When fire engines are blocked, families lose everything. This behaviour is not protecting the community; it is destroying it,” said the councillor.

Call for unity against crime

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The engagement concluded with an appeal for unity, cooperation, and respect between residents, police, and municipal stakeholders.

Both SAPS and community leadership stressed that safety in Dukathole cannot be achieved through confrontation, but through partnership.

“Crime thrives where communities are divided,” the councillor said.

“Only by working together with the police can we make this area safe for our children, our families, and our future.”

The meeting marked a step toward restoring dialogue and rebuilding trust, as residents, police, and local leadership committed to continued engagement aimed at addressing crime, improving emergency response, and creating a safer Dukathole informal settlement.