North mobile police station successfully launched
"The community cannot report the crimes because we are not treated well by the police.’’
Soshanguve residents hope that a newly opened mobile police station will help combat crime in the area.
The mobile station was handed over to police by the head of the Gauteng community safety department, Nontsikelelo Sisulu, at the Falala community hall on Thursday.
Locals, the CPF and the Soshanguve station commander Brigadier Michelle Toohey attended the event.
During the handover, Sisulu said the mobile station would have a positive impact on the community as it was easily accessible.
“There are 40 police stations identified to have high levels of crimes, mostly house robberies, business robberies, car hijacking, rape, murder, as well as various forms of assaults.
“The police are running short of human resources as well as vehicles,” Sisulu said, adding that police must prioritise the areas that are suffering rather than having all the police at the station “not doing anything”.
“There are three sectors in Soshanguve. Within those sectors, the police station is there for one sector, the mobile station may be in another, and the police will also be able to use their vehicles in different police sectors.
“Because the mobile station is accessible it is safe to say residents will be able to access police services.”
Locals raised their concerns around the availability of police in the area.
One resident, Nonhlanhla Masimola of Gender-Based Violence Brigades, said they were trying to work with police to reduce the crime rate but a lack of passionate police officers made this difficult.
“Police must hire active people who are passionate about their work because, honestly, the police are failing the community.”
Masimola said when residents reported a crime and the accused was arrested, two days later that same person would be seen walking freely in the streets.
“There are many people selling drugs but when we go and report them to the police the cases are delayed,” she said.
Masimola also said the community of Marry Me was also neglected by the police.
Tshwane district acting commander Brigadier Samuel Thine assured the community that police were going to step up their game.
Thine gave residents his contact details and urged them to call if police continued to give poor service.
“We did operate in the Marry Me community but we were attacked by residents. They set two police vans alight. Residents did not want police in their community. But if the police do not want to assist you, just call the station commander and if they still refuse, call me.”
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