Thembisa residents voice frustrations over crime, policing

Concerned Thembisa Ext 5 residents gathered at the Kanana Sports Ground for a community imbizo to address escalating crime on May 22.

The event allowed residents to voice their concerns directly to law enforcement representatives.

A theme echoed during the meeting was the perceived failure of the Rabie Ridge Police Station to respond effectively to crime.

Many residents voiced a deep mistrust of the police, claiming officers seemed to protect criminals instead of victims.

ALSO READ: Rhodesfield community protests over power reconnection fees

Residents shared accounts of slow or absent police response, limited visibility and persistent struggles with crime hotspots. Several voiced concerns about foreign-owned shops, particularly those run by Pakistani nationals, alleging they sell harmful substances to children.

“We are losing our children to things the Pakistanis are selling, and nothing is being done,” said one resident, who also accused the police of failing to investigate or verify the legality of these businesses.

Benjamin Thwala, another resident, voiced frustration over the visible but ineffective police presence.

“There’s no way the police don’t know what’s happening. Their cars are everywhere, but they do nothing.

“They pick up someone from a crime scene and just drop them off somewhere safe. The next day, they’re back. You’d think someone was arrested, but there’s no follow-up.”

Residents alleged corruption among police officers, claiming some shop owners pay them to tip them off about upcoming operations.

Themba Dube voiced suspicion after noticing that many shops were inexplicably closed on the day of a recent police operation.

“Suddenly, all the Pakistani shops are closed on the day of the operation. It’s no coincidence. Someone in the police is informing them,” one resident claimed.

ALSO READ: Thembisa NPO turns dumping sites into community spaces

Other community members, like John Kadiaka, shared heartbreaking personal experiences. He revealed that two of his family members had been shot – one fatally, the other seriously injured – and lamented the lack of progress in the investigation.

“No arrests have been made. There are no leads. We can’t even feel safe in our own homes – criminals break in and take whatever they want,” he said, adding, “We need community patrols, and we need a police force that doesn’t work with criminals.”

Despite the concerns, police representatives urged residents to work with them and promised improvements. Rabie Ridge Police Station commander Colonel Kwena Collins Hlako acknowledged the complaints and said steps were underway to restore public trust.

“There will be more patrols. We want information from the community. If you give us information, we will follow up and make arrests,” said Tlhaku.

ALSO READ: Thembisa community steps up for mental health with 10km awareness walk

He also addressed the suspicious closure of shops during the operation.

“It’s possible the shop owners were informed and chose to close. We will investigate to determine what really happened.”

Brigadier Mbongeni Ngcobo, representing the Ekurhuleni district commissioner, emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the police service.

“We will do a thorough investigation to find out why those shops closed on the day of the operation.

“If it turns out that police officers were involved in tipping off shop owners or taking bribes, they will face disciplinary action. No one is above the law,” he said.

He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to rooting out corruption and rebuilding trust.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park residents decry neglect of once-thriving community park

“We will take action against anyone who compromises the integrity of our law enforcement efforts.”

Despite the promises, many residents left unconvinced, stating they had heard similar assurances before but rarely saw action.

“The police keep saying the right things, but we don’t see them following through,” one resident said.