Police and senior law enforcement officials were attending the scene where a woman’s body was discovered near Mooifontein Cemetery early this morning (September 26).

The circumstances surrounding the discovery, including the woman’s identity, how she died and how her body came to be there, had not yet been confirmed, reports the Kempton Express.

Ministerial oversight visit

The discovery comes a day after acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia conducted an oversight visit to Ekurhuleni as part of the ministry’s ongoing assessment of SAPS operational readiness and capacity at station level.

Cachalia was accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing Lieutenant General Mamotheti, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mthombeni and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Chief of Police Isaac Mapiyeye, among others.

The delegation received briefings on policing in the Ekurhuleni District and the operational conditions at Kempton Park and Thembisa police stations.

The visit included walkabouts at the stations to assess the conditions under which police and support personnel work.

Among the challenges identified were inadequate operational infrastructure, shortages of furniture and technology equipment, and human resource constraints.

At Kempton Park Police Station, the station commander also raised concerns about the Community Service Centre’s landline, which affects the station’s ability to respond to and communicate with members of the public.

Focus on gender-based violence

The delegation also focused on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), including support available to victims.

Against the backdrop of recent tragedies in Ekurhuleni, including the discovery of nine bodies, Cachalia inspected GBV desks and victim-friendly rooms at police stations and engaged with officials responsible for supporting victims.

A high concentration of liquor outlets in the area was also identified as a contributing factor to the high incidence of GBVF.

Lesufi pledged to address the matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen community safety and curb alcohol-related violence.

Cachalia said the ministry would continue working with SAPS management and other stakeholders to strengthen victim support services and ensure GBVF victims receive the assistance they require.

SAPS top management present at the oversight visit also committed to addressing the operational challenges raised by station commanders.

SAPS responds to Kempton Park social media claims

Meanwhile, SAPS Gauteng has responded to a social media post circulating about alleged criminal activity and police misconduct in Kempton Park.

The allegations include claims of drug dealing, missing persons, human trafficking, undocumented people and alleged corruption involving police officials.

SAPS said in a statement that the concerns were being taken seriously, but that specific and verifiable information was required for the allegations to be properly assessed and investigated.

SAPS said crime prevention and enforcement operations, including Operation Shanela and Operation Lockdown, were continuing in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.

Since the beginning of July, 973 suspects have been arrested at Kempton Park Police Station, according to SAPS.

Of these, 525 were arrested for offences relating to immigration laws.

A further 87 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences, with more than 440g of various drugs seized.

Police also arrested 106 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and 30 suspects for liquor-related offences.

SAPS said 670 million millilitres of liquor had been seized and 379 liquor compliance inspections conducted.

National SAPS management has also augmented the capacity of Kempton Park Police Station through the deployment of additional members.

Police said they were working with other law enforcement agencies and community safety structures, including the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, Community Police Forum and private security companies through Business Against Crime South Africa’s Eyes and Ears initiative.

SAPS said allegations that police officials may be accepting money to make dockets disappear or interfere with criminal investigations were of particular concern.

Members of the public with information about such conduct are urged to report it to SAPS Service Complaints.

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