Law enforcement holds anti-crime meeting
“The intention is to determine how we can improve policing, and the community's ability to assist the police improve their response to crime,” says Ward 67 councillor Tsiane.
Residents of wards 76 and 38 raised concerns about gender-based violence and other crimes in Mamelodi at a police imbizo recently.
Police spokesperson Captain Johannes Maheso said the police management through its CPF met locals as a response to the call by provincial commissioner General Elias Mawela to embark on community engagement campaigns.
Maheso said the meeting was held at Power House Church on Saturday.
He said the police were trying to find ways to work with the community to reduce crime in the area.
“Imbizo meetings are aimed at building a good working relationship with the police, and seeking clarity on cases and challenges.
“We call on all communities to engage with us,” said Maheso.
He said the first meeting was for sector 1 and dates for meetings in the remaining sectors will be announced soon.
Mamelodi West police, representatives of the National Prosecuting Authority, Tshwane metro, CPF and community safety department attended the meeting.
He said the metro police addressed the meeting on by-laws while the other guests explained the services they rendered to the community.
Senior prosecutor Anne-Marie Bendeman of the Mamelodi NPA gave a breakdown of the “severe, shocking and concerning incidents of gender-based violence reported to Mamelodi police”.
Bendeman also encouraged communities to support education “as it was key to the fight against crime”.
She invited residents who needed an explanation on the cases the NPA withdrew or declined to prosecute to come to her.
Maheso said the imbizo was a success as more than 70 people attended.
“It was also pleasing that the advocate explained the process of obtaining a protection order,” said Maheso.
Ward 67 councillor Sizwe Tsiane said the purpose of the imbizo was for the community to talk with the NPA, SAPS and the metro police.
“The intention is to determine how we can improve policing, and the community’s ability to assist the police improve their response to crime,” said Tsiane.
The officials handed out pamphlets with safety tips and the services they offered.
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