‘We cannot address crime without your input’ say Westenburg cops

POLOKWANE – In December the Westenburg police, the department of safety and Westenburg residents gathered at the local community hall to come up with a strategy on how to fight crime in the area, especially burglaries.

Review also attended the meeting and residents made many suggestions on how the crime problem could be addressed.

The department gave the Westenburg police a deadline to implement some of the suggestions generated at the meeting within 14 days after the meeting, but according to residents nothing has been done since the meeting.

The residents who gave Review feedback did not wish to be identified for fear of victimisation.

“We still don’t have street patrols. The police are not visible in the community and they still take too long to come out to a scene when we call them.

“In the meeting we also complained about the language barrier at the police station and asked for an Afrikaans-speaking official to be appointed, but this issue was also not addressed.

“The worst part is that, while nothing is being done by the police, burglaries in our community continue,” a resident said.

Another resident said more than five houses were targeted by burglars over the past three weeks and Plasma TVs were stolen.

“I know of families in Verveen, Ben Harris, Buys, Winter and John Smith Street that were targeted. There could be other areas that I do not know about,” the resident said.

Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, Westenburg police spokesperson, confirmed that there were still burglaries in the area, but said there had not been as many as there were over the festive season.

“It is easy for Westenburg residents to complain that the police are doing nothing, but they are not willing to work with us.

“The community policing forum (CPF) arranges meetings with the community, but no one shows up for these meetings.

“We want to establish street patrols, but residents are not willing to avail themselves for neighbourhood watches.

“What are we suppose to do, if the community does not give its cooperation,” Mashiane asked.

He encouraged all Polokwane residents to know who their police sector manager is and to always have his or her contact number available in case of an emergency.

“We also encourage residents to know their neighbours and to have good relationships with their neighbours. If something happens, the neighbour will be there to help and the neighbour will also report suspicious movements,” Mashiane said.

The police pleaded with the community to attend CPF meetings.