Kempton Park CPF Sector 2 aims to reduce crime

The Kempton Park CPF Sector 2 held a community meeting at the Kempton Kuin Church to discuss crime statistics in the area and explore collaborations to reduce crime on April 1.

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Molapisi from the Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre presented and analysed the latest crime statistics, comparing incidents reported between March 1 and 31, 2024/25.

He said the most prevalent crimes included common assault, attempted murder, burglary and shoplifting.

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“When we refer to crimes dependent on police action, we’re talking about cases when officers must actively go out and retrieve firearms and drugs and deal with drunken driving and sexual offences. In this reporting period, we didn’t recover many firearms; this is why we’re here,” he said.

Molapisi noted that shoplifting remains a challenge, often happening in stores where security is expected to intervene and contact the police afterwards.

The meeting was an open platform to discuss crime trends and matters affecting residents and businesses.

“We made progress in tackling domestic violence cases, with seven suspects arrested. We also recorded a decrease in robberies during this period,” said Molapisi.

He said the area’s most problematic days for crime were Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Peak criminal activity was between 18:00 and 21:00, followed by 09:00 to noon.

The suburbs most affected by criminal activity included Kempton Park extensions and Glen Marais. Sector 3 was identified as the most problematic, followed by sectors 2 and 5.

“For business-related crimes, industrial areas are particularly affected, with Pomona, Kempton Park Central and Bredell recording the highest number of trial-related crimes,” Molapisi added.

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Residents could raise concerns and were assured that the SAPS and CPF collaborate to reduce crime in the area.

Colonel Obed Mashalane, the Visible Policing commander at the Kempton Park SAPS, said that before partnering with the CPF, the crime rate was significantly higher.

“To address this, we implemented joint operations involving private security companies and even pastors.

“Some crimes have a spiritual element, so we also use pastoral outreach programmes to visit hotspots and pray at these locations as a form of intervention,” he said.

Molapisi emphasised the importance of collaboration between the police and relevant stakeholders in crime prevention.

He said joint operations and targeted crime prevention efforts had improved since the establishment of CPF structures. However, he acknowledged challenges in the justice system.

“Prosecution remains a major hurdle. Cases can drag on for more than six months before a suspect is convicted or released due to court delays and other obstacles,” he said.

Residents expressed frustration with the current state of policing, questioning the crime statistics’ reliability, and raised concerns about the limited number of patrol vehicles. Only three SAPS vehicles currently serve the entire Kempton Park area.

Community members claimed many areas rarely see police patrols, criticised the reactive nature of the police’s response and argued that there is no proactive policing.

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Ward 16 Clr Jaco Terblanche said each sector should ideally have two SAPS vehicles, yet six suburbs, including Kempton Park extensions 1 to 4, Glen Marais, Aston Manor, Allen Grove and Nimrod Park, are currently served by just three.

He also pointed to cable theft and common robberies, asking residents to take ownership of their communities.

“To end crime in our area, we need to stand together. If you see something illegal, report it. That’s your responsibility as a citizen,” he said.