Crime victims no longer put their trust in the police
Several residents in the city feel they have no protection when it comes to crimes being committed and the police not following up on their cases.
POLOKWANE – One such resident is Danie Janse van Rensburg who was shot during a recent house robbery. The incident happened around nine weeks ago and up to date, Van Rensburg says, there has been no contact from the investigating officer nor any statements taken. He adds the case opened was also not changed to attempted murder due to him being shot.
“I have lost all confidence in the police of this city. I serve with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and the feeling is mutual among some of the people. They no longer report crimes as they feel nothing is being done about the reports. We feel the police simply do not care what happens to the people,” Van Rensburg says.
In other cases, issues with the police abusing their power have been reported and in some cases either complete dockets went missing or paperwork was incomplete leading to cases either not appearing in court or being unsuccessful.
Complainants who spoke to Review include two runners, Liesl Pohl and Sean Jacobs, who reported cases of being assaulted and stabbed in 2014 and up to date have not received any feedback from the police regarding their cases. A legal representative from Legal Wise Polokwane, Joyce Rabohale, said bungled investigations relating to some of their cases lead to them losing certain cases in court.
“Following investigations by police, there are sometimes documents missing which leads to cases being lost or even dismissed in court. It makes it difficult for us as legal representatives as well as for the victims whose cases are affected,” she explains.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Col Ronel Otto, told Review that the cases brought to her attention will be looked into.
She said although there are cases which might never be solved, they should still be investigated and the complainants kept up to date on the progress of their cases. She said that when residents feel they are not getting the service they deserve and need from the police, they should report such at the respective police stations so the matters can be investigated. Otto explained that there are investigations commanders at each station to whom these issues can be reported for further investigation.
“If the investigations officer is unable to assist the complainant, there is a station commander or cluster commander who will be able to assist with complaints. We as the police are here to serve and everyone has the right to demand to get the service they deserve. It is their right and the issues should never just be left unresolved or swept under the rug,” Otto concludes.
