Tembisa SAPS brigadier faces Winnie Mandela community at imbizo

People were invited to share their complaints with police and other stakeholders at an imbizo at Winnie Mandela Taxi Rank, initiated by the Tembisa SAPS, on October 20 since a number of house robberies, business robberies and mob justice cases are mounting at the police station.

This follows the high crime rate in Sector One and Two that caters for Winnie Mandela Zone One to 12.

Members from the Community Policing Forum (CPF), Community Safety Forum (CSF), Tembisa Youth Crime Prevention Desk, Tembisa Local Taxi Association (TELTA), Portuguese Forum, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and Men and Women of Hope attended. It was led by Thomas Mathebula, chairperson of the Tembisa CPF.

“Police officers are corrupt and like bribes. Every time we report complaints to the Tembisa SAPS they take their time to respond and come driving vans that are not roadworthy or do not come at all,” said a Winnie Mandela resident.

A representative from the Portuguese Forum, Gerrit van Heerden, said: “We all possess a gift of being able to influence other people, so use your gift for this purpose and show people what it means to care for others. As residents, we should show others how to be a voice that inspires and stands up for their neighbour in need when no one else is willing to speak out.”

Van Heerden told the residents it was not about what they do with what they have, it was about being a light in their community while all other lights have been dimmed by negativity.

“No matter how bad and tough yesterday was, start today as if it’s the most important day of your life because, in reality, it is. Everything we do today impacts tomorrow. So if you want a better tomorrow, it’s simple, make whatever you are doing today important and keep doing it,” he added.

Vusi Mashilo, an ex-convict, told the youth prison was not a good place at all.

“The problem with our youth is they do not respect life. We have a lot of youth in the country using drugs and committing crime. If you go to jail you will find lots of talented youth whose talent go to wastes because of irresponsible decisions,” said Mashilo.

Mashilo, a qualified furniture maker, said he does not encourage anyone to end up in jail. While in jail, Mashilo studied mechanics, furniture making and electrical engineering.

“Once in jail, it becomes hard to get a job. So stay clean and forget about what other people say about you and focus on your dreams,” said Mashilo. He encouraged the youth to respect themselves and other people.

Meanwhile, Dr Patrick Molotsi, chairperson of the Tembisa Transformation Forum, said their purpose was to change people’s lives and bring them closer to God.

“God is the only one able to change a person’s heart. Winnie Mandela residents consume alcohol recklessly and end up being victims of crime. Alcohol does not make a person responsible and does not change someone’s life. As residents we are accountable to build a better community and respect one another in the mighty name of Jesus Christ,” said Molotsi.

Men of Hope encouraged the residents to stand up and fight the scourge of crime in the community.

“Lets us be responsible and law abiding citizens. Stand for the truth and become a role model in the communities,” said Pastor Sidwell Mtetwa from Men of Hope.

The Tembisa SAPS station commander, Brig Frank Mthombeni, told the people they need to fight together against the ‘devil’ called crime.

“Crime does not have boundaries and knows no colour, it affects all of us. In one way or another, all of us have been a victim of crime, either personally or someone you know. When I started in Tembisa I said to myself I am a manager. I pledged to manage every resource at the station. The purpose of that was to make sure the community of Tembisa is safe,” said Mthombeni.

He said the imbizo was a good start for the police and community to root out crime in the area.

“I want assistance from the community by being our eyes and ears in order to bring these criminals to book. Everyone has a responsibility to fight against crime because it affects us all. We are here today to make sure the community of Winnie Mandela is safe at all times. Let’s not keep quiet regarding criminal behaviour happening in our communities. I want everyone here to tell themselves the safety of Winnie Mandela starts with them,” concluded Mthombeni.