Operation Masakhane aims to tackle crime in Kempton Park

The Kempton Park CPF, the Kempton Park SAPS, AfriForum, and private security companies recently launched Operation Masakhanem to tackle crime in Kempton Park.

The operation was at the Harvest Place parking lot, where various law enforcement agencies set up stalls.

The goal was to increase visibility, raise awareness and engage with the community in the fight against crime.

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“Operation Masakhane means ‘Together we build,’ and it signifies our united effort to combat crime, raise awareness and increase community visibility,” said Lieutenant Colonel Wouter Heyneke, one of the operation’s organisers.

The operation led to the arrest of a person caught driving a stolen vehicle.

Thanks to advanced technology that detects stolen number plates, they were arrested and found to have other charges pending. He was taken to the Kempton Park Police Station for further processing.

This success highlighted the positive impact of community-led initiatives in the fight against crime.

The entities distributed pamphlets to inform the public about their rights to report crime, with the police encouraging individuals who had previously reported incidents but received no feedback to follow up.

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They told the community members to report any communication issues within law enforcement agencies, including delays in feedback from investigating officers.

“This has been a successful day. We’ve prevented potential crimes, and many people now feel safer knowing Kempton Park is actively working to protect them.

“We appreciate everyone who sacrificed their time to join us today,” said a representative from the Gauteng Community Police Forum in Blue.

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Patrols were done on foot and by vehicle at various locations, including Bonaero Park, the Cavendish Glen Shopping Centre, Bredell Square, the Woodbridge Centre, the Brentwood Park Mall, and the Glen Acres Shopping Centre.

These areas are hotspots for criminal activity, particularly targeting elderly individuals.

Security guards Freedom Rasithu and Steven Mokone, who work at Bredell Square, were grateful for the increased patrols, saying, “We are grateful to see the police working to protect us from thieves. We feel safer.”

One-hundred-and-thirty-five participants participated in the operation, hosted every three months to provide a regular platform for crime prevention and community safety efforts.

“We are working in the community for the community,” said Jan Vermaak, the AfriForum Kempton Park chairperson.

“We must collaborate with our law enforcement agencies to support them in their efforts to uphold the law and keep our community safe.”