Various crime patterns highlighted during Salvokop imbizo

Illegal immigrants, taverns, drugs and contact crimes, among other issues, were addressed during a recent imbizo in Salvokop.

Residents spoke about their grievances and concerns to various law-enforcement entities.

Departments of correctional services, home affairs, social development, Gauteng community safety and Tshwane metro police also attended.

Pretoria Central police station hosted the imbizo, under the theme “correction as a societal responsibility”.

Newly appointed station commander Brigadier Hlengane Gabini Mashaba addressed various issues during his first public speech to the community, including cooperation with the police.

“We want to reassure the community that they can entrust the security entities with curbing the surge of crime.

“We also want to emphasise the importance of having informers to strengthen the lacking issue of whistle-blowing,” Mashaba stated.

He further pleaded with the community to use his office to report corruption and a lack of service delivery.

Salvokop is said to contribute toward many reported crimes, especially contact crimes, a large number of illegal immigrants and many taverns operating without proper documentation.

Contact crimes include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), common assault, common robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and trio crimes, among others.

Kgosi Mampuru prison commissioner Immanuel Khoza acknowledged the struggles his department faced with drug smuggling during his keynote address.

“Both the station and the prison are some of the biggest in South Africa and should be looked at as a place of hope and change,” Khoza said.

He acknowledged the overcrowding challenges that the local prisons face and encouraged police to continue enforcing the law.

The commissioner also expressed his worry that it is young men and women housed in these facilities who are becoming more and more involved in illegal activities.

“We don’t deny the challenges we are faced with but still encourage to police to continue arresting to ensure that the law is enforced. Drug smuggling has been at the forefront of creating problems in various facilities in the department and we are doing everything in our power to address the matters at hand,” he continued.

Khoza reiterated the need for more whistleblowers, which was expressed by Mashaba, emphasising the need for community members to report corrupt officials.

“More awareness campaigns must be conducted to educate, especially the children on the repercussions of crime.

“This will not be a policing effort only but a rehabilitation programme. We want to ensure that Salvokop be seen as a place of harmony and peace,” Khoza concluded.

For further information, contact the crime hotline on 08600 10111, dial 112 on network providers, or directly contact the station on 012 353 4000.

Residents can also utilise the suggestion boxes placed at the police station anonymously.

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