They intend to work closely, and positively, with the police and community members. Speaking during their meeting at the Tembisa SAPS, the chairperson of the committee, Thomas Mathebula, said they are conducting public meetings with community members once a month in all thirteen sectors in Tembsia.
“By doing so, we want to know which sections have a high level of crime. We have sector managers, the sector crime forum and street representatives in every section. We need more volunteers to join the patrollers so we can respond positively to members of the community,” he said.
Mathebula told The Tembisan that during their public meetings with the community, they brainstormed ideas on how to fight against criminal elements in the area.
“Most women are participating during public meetings but we feel some hide information about their children who do crime. We need more hands from the local taxi associations, pastors’ forum, liquor traders and NGOs to take part in the idea of fighting against crime so that we can win the battle. We encourage people to follow up reported cases and to attend court proceedings,” he added.
The committee is appealing to people to participate and give information to the police about any criminal act which occurs in the area.
“House breaking, car hijacking, business robbery, rape and assault are the most common crimes occurring in the community. We understand the community is complaining a lot about the police response time, but if we can work together to fight this problem we can squeeze it to the zero level. Let us report these criminals and take charge of our own community,” he said.
Mathebula added that they are working closely with the Tembisa Youth desk to do school talks, searches and other projects and campaigns to fight against criminal elements. For more information about the Community Policing Forum, contact their offices 011 578 5721.
