New Brooklyn visible policing commander vows ‘not to let residents down’
Colonel Nditsheni Thomas Nekhumbe (55) was appointed as Brooklyn police station’s new commander of visible policing.
The Brooklyn police station has a new crime-fighter who does not believe in failure when it comes to the task at hand.
Colonel Nditsheni Thomas Nekhumbe (55) was appointed in April this year as the new commander of visible policing at the Brooklyn police station.
As the new commander, his responsibility is to manage and control crime prevention and crime combating functions to create a safe and secure station environment.
The meaning of his first name Nditsheni is: “Leave me alone”.
“This is the strong message that he wants to send out to criminals – ‘Leave Brooklyn policing area alone’,” said Brooklyn police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach.
“He wishes for the community of the Brooklyn policing area to feel safe. The only way to achieve this is by reducing crime.”
Nekhumbe said he is committed to ensuring that members of the community would not be let down.
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His first priority will be to address property-related crimes such as residential and business burglaries, theft out of motor vehicles and theft of motor vehicles.
“His immediate concern is the unacceptable high number of vehicles that get stolen in the area,” Weilbach said.
“Stolen vehicles must be reported immediately to the SAPS to enhance the potential of arrests. He noticed that many motorists are reporting these crimes only after a few days which makes the investigation thereof difficult.”
Nekhumbe said he had already increased police visibility around the university and business areas.
Visits to liquor premises where compliance inspections are executed have also been increased.
“I further aim to build on the already existing community partnerships such as the Brooklyn Community Police Forum (CPF), Divine Intervention with the churches in the area and the security forum,” Nekhembe said.
“Regular meetings, joint operations and awareness campaigns will take place so that as a collective the headache of crime can be addressed.”
Nekhumbe started his career in 1985 when he joined the municipal police in Mamelodi and later the South African Police Service.
He was stationed at Pretoria Moot police for 13 years.
In 2018, he worked at the Silverton police station as the visible policing commander. He was also stationed at the Ekangala police station as the station commander until recently before he was promoted to Colonel at Brooklyn SAPS.
During his free time, the married father of three likes spending time relaxing over a cricket match at his Mamelodi home.
He obtained knowledge and experience through several courses and workshops during his career which includes client service, crime prevention, sector policing, tracker network, circulation of vehicles and persons, mentorship, community policing and many more.
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Brooklyn CPF chairperson Marlene Kruger said the CPF and the police have already conducted successful joint operations where Colonel Nekhumbe took the lead.
“We are impressed with his hands-on approach and will support him fully,” Kruger said.
Members of the community were urged to play their role by reporting any suspicious persons, vehicles or incidents to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency number.
Information with regards to crime can be given to the police anonymously by phoning 08600-10111 or by using the My SAPS app.
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