Work with police to beat crime, north communities urged

Gauteng police provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela visited Soshanguve to address the community about high volumes of crime in the area.

Captain Stephen Maluleka said according to the provincial statistics of stations that are generating high volumes of crime, Rietgat made the top 40.

“Rietgat is among the 40 stations identified as one of the highest crime generators in the province and is standing at spot number 39.”

Mawela urged the Rietgat police management and the community to stop working in silos but to collaborate in fighting the scourge of crime.

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The meeting, at Baxoxele Primary School in Block GG, was attended by among others, community leaders and members, churches, traditional healers, business sector, various government departments including the home affairs, education, health, emergency services, metro police, SAPS and Tshwane district leadership.

“I cannot afford to have a negative attitude towards stakeholders, I need all of you, we need to work together to fight this scourge of crime, let us work, bickering won’t help us, I am calling upon all of you to work together, walk together in reducing crime,” said Mawela.

“We cannot allow criminals to ravage our community while we are watching. No criminal will take over from us, we cannot be ruled by them.”

Mawela urged community members to stop buying stolen goods.

“Imagine watching Muvhango (popular SABC TV soapie) on a stolen television? It’s wrong, where is ubuntu, social cohesion? Let’s learn to live side by side with each other and stop buying stolen properties.”

Mawela told Rietgat police to pull up their socks “because history will judge you harshly with these high levels of crime”.

“Rietgat where are you? You cannot sleep if you know that you have a responsibility of reducing crime by 50%, and when I say reduce, I don’t mean you must cook the stats, I mean you must work hard.”

Mawela also reiterated that serious crimes such as sexual offences, murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and corruption must be dealt with without fear or favour.

He also urged the Rietgat police and the community to work together to get rid of drug dealers in the community.

“It is in our hands to present a new image to our people,” said Mawela.

Billy Mosaka, a local pastor said they are ready to work with the police but the service had to redeem itself and deal with corruption robustly.

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“We are more than willing to work with the police but the rampant corruption happening must stop. I also urge the metro police to clean up their house. I was disappointed the other day when I was stopped by an officer who looked drunk on duty. It’s wrong and it must stop,” said Mosaka.

A foreign national and a businessman Abdullah Omar said he had been victimised and robbed before by gun-wielding thugs who were not fazed by the police.

He said he was willing to work with “genuine” police officers to fight crime.

Tshwane police district commissioner Major-General Daniel Mthombeni encouraged the community to come forward with the information that will help the police to fight crime in the country.

“Your contribution will leave a very good legacy for this country. You must stand up against crime, it is in your hands,” said Mthombeni.