Salvokop forum distressed over lack of police services

The Salvokop sector 2 CPF believes they were not receiving the necessary attention from the Pretoria Central police, but police feel there was a good working relationship between them.

CPF member Steven Swartz told Rekord they were reporting crimes and offering tip-offs to police “seemingly to no avail”.

“We would phone them or mention things in CPF meetings, but nothing ever happens.”

Pretoria CBD Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe, however, refuted this.

“We do have sector vehicles patrolling and a good relationship with the CPF in Salvokop,” she said.

But Swartz believes otherwise.

In a recent incident, a woman and a man were shot in an informal settlement known as Baghdad.

“The community called emergency services, however, none arrived and they ended up speeding to the hospital themselves,” he said.

According to Swartz, an ammunition cartridge was left at the crime scene till the next day without police arriving to investigate the shooting.

“I received a call the next day informing me of the evidence that was still in the street. I ended up calling senior officials of the station to have a vehicle come out.”

He said Salvokop was riddled with several deaths because of crimes such as cable theft.

“People cannot speak out on these crimes in Salvokop as they are afraid of being targeted.”

He said through CPF meetings, intelligence policing in the community was suggested to infiltrate the increasing crime.

“Nothing is happening, crime is worse.”

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Swartz said recently a 27-year-old man was found brutally murdered in the area.

“The man was stabbed several times with a knife and had a rock thrown against his head.

“We need police to step up their game.”

He said police needed to hold more operations as there were also problems with illegal firearms floating about the community.

“Residents are giving us information on many illegal firearms in Salvokops informal settlements.”

He said this information and others, such as police being in cahoots with criminals, were shared with the police station, but always fell on deaf ears.

Selepe confirmed that police recently registered a murder and an attempted murder case.

“Police continued to hold integrated operations in Salvokop, guided by a crime threat analysis, which looked at socio-demographic, spatial, and other factors aimed at assisting the police in criminal apprehension, crime and disorder reduction and crime prevention.

“These operations are primarily aimed at stamping the authority of the state to ensure that the people of Salvokop feel safe.”

She said in terms of illegal firearms, the increased partnerships and reporting of illegal firearms were needed.

“SAPS encourage the community of Salvokop to report any illegal firearm dealings to the SAPS on 08600 10111.”

She said further there were investigations into allegations of police officials being in collusion with criminals.

She said police urged the community to assist them in reporting perpetrators of crime to help speed up the investigation.

“Investigations will lead to an arrest. If the suspects are unknown sometimes the investigation might be prolonged,” Selepe said.

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