Thembisa SAPS Brigadier Cyril Nkuna has been in office for over a year and has played a key role in driving changes within the policing sector during this time.

In an exclusive update, Nkuna outlined the measures implemented to improve community safety and restore public trust in the police.

With GBV and robbery identified as key challenges, he emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relationships with the community to encourage the flow of information and collaboration in fighting crime.

“We are making progress in combating crime despite ongoing challenges. Over the past nine months, we have performed well, with decreases across several crime categories.

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“However, we continue to face difficulties with property-related and contact crimes, including malicious damage to property, which often occur indoors.

“To address this, our social crime prevention unit engages with the community through weekly meetings every Wednesday, where we highlight these issues and work together to find solutions.

“Property crimes, particularly hijackings linked to house robberies, remain a concern. We have begun engaging pawn shops, as stolen goods are often sold there, which has assisted us in recovering items and making arrests,” said Nkuna.

Nkuna noted that house robberies in Thembisa had previously declined following a breakthrough, but have recently resurfaced.

Police are now reassessing the situation to determine whether the incidents are linked to the same group or a new syndicate.

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Sector 4, including the Winnie Mandela area, has been identified as a hotspot. As a result, additional police deployments and patrols have been introduced, particularly in high-risk and exit areas.

Addressing GBV, Nkuna said strict measures have been put in place at the station.

“The issue of gender-based violence in our society is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention. At my station, I have instructed that GBV cases cannot be withdrawn once they are opened. Any withdrawals must be handled through the magistrate’s court.

“We are aware that attempts to withdraw cases are sometimes influenced by bribery or intimidation. For this reason, we do not allow withdrawals at the station level.

“We maintain a strong working relationship with the courts through case flow meetings to ensure that arrests lead to successful prosecutions,” he explained.

With the Easter period approaching, Nkuna warned that increased police operations will be in place.

“We will be intensifying deployments and operations during Easter. Those who intend to commit crimes or disrupt public order are urged to stay at home.

“We will not hesitate to act, and anyone who fails to comply with the law will be arrested,” he said.

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Reflecting on his first year in office, Nkuna acknowledged the challenges he encountered upon arrival.

“When I arrived, there was a negative perception of the police and a loss of trust within the community. I made it a priority to communicate our successes and keep the community informed.

“We have identified hotspots and increased police visibility across various areas, including shabeens.

“Our efforts to address illegal firearms and police-generated crime have contributed to a reduction in crime, although we continue working to improve overall community safety,” he added.

Nkuna also highlighted factors affecting police response times, particularly street blockages in Thembisa, which hinder access and delay the pursuit of suspects.

“To address this, we are engaging with councillors to ensure that these blockages are removed, as they contravene municipal by-laws and hinder police operations. We will also work closely with the community, as their cooperation is essential in finding sustainable solutions,” he said.