Residents to tackle crime

The residents said they have decided to get people to patrol in their section 24 hours a day.

“We aim to help the police reduce crime in Ivory Park. Innocent people get killed by mob justice while criminals are walking free. We are tired of criminals breaking into our houses and robbing us,” said the residents.

Mr Daniel Mojela said they want to help the police because during emergencies, the police always complain about a shortage of vehicles.

“Our police respond late to emergency calls. This gives criminals a chance to run away. That is why some people prefer to kill criminals themselves, which is not a good idea because we all have a right to live. But we do not have the right to steal from each other. These criminals know that our police respond late. We are not pointing fingers at anyone, but we want criminals to be arrested,” he said.

Ms Rebecca Dladla said the community wants their own patrollers, who would not rely on bribes from the community but who would fight against crime with integrity.

“Our police like to be bribed. Some even contribute to the criminal activity. They do not want to work closely with us. A child in our section went missing and a case was opened. Some residents in other sections saw the child and reported it to the police. The police knew where the child was but did not tell us to stop searching. We do not have proper communications with our police,” she said.

Ms Dladla said they are appealing to the police to work closely with them in combating crime in Ivory Park.

“We are more than willing to help them. We do not want violence in our area. We could even be monitored by the police,” she said.

The Ivory Park SAPS acting station commander, Colonel Sontaga Seisa, said they are serving the Ivory Park policing precinct and are unaware of any section of Ivory Park, or any other residential area, which has a group of residents patrolling without following the proper channels.

“We are also unaware of any group that has approached the police station with the view of having a patrol group. We support initiatives from our community that are well-intended. We have a legal structure called the Community Police Forum (CPF), wherein all properly vetted community patrollers conduct patrols in the presence of the police. Any crime prevention structure falling outside the CPF will be regarded as unlawful and illegal,” said Col Seisa.

According to Colonel Seisa, Ivory Park communities are humble and law abiding.

“They bring us suggestions, views, complaints and information on a daily basis,” he said.