eMba residents tells Minister they want another police station
Mr Nathi Nhleko, Minister of Police, has a dialogue with the Govan Mbeki stakeholders on Friday, 6 March.
eMBALENHLE – Mr Nathi Nhleko, Minister of Police, slammed drug dealers, drug suppliers and gangsters and said they do not have a conscious and are destroying people’s lives.
He also strongly condemned people who are buying stolen property.
“They are buying pain and suffering.”
This came after residents urged him to intervene in the high increase in drug dealings, gangsterism and housebreakings in the area.
Residents accused foreign small business owners of supplying drugs to pupils.
They told the Minister that Evander has become a hub for drugs and ask him to bring the Technical Response Team.
They complained about the eMbalenhle Police Station, police vehicles and other resources.
“This station was built in 1976 while the population of eMbalenhle was still small, but now the population of eMbalenhle has increased.
“We do not have privacy when we talk with officers and the charge room is always overflowing.
“Can you expand the station, Minister, and may we also have satellite police stations?”
Ms Cathrine Mogadu, Famsa social worker, asked the minister to provide the police with updated training regarding domestic violence.
She said when women go to the police stations to open domestic violence cases, they are told to return home to sort matters out with their spouses.
She said this against the law and is increasing the pressure on victims.
The House of Traditional Leaders raised their concerns about being undermined by some police officials.
They said when they refer their cases to the station, officers do not take them serious and that when they ask for help, they do not receive it.
Some residents complained about police brutality and officers being unprofessional.
Mr Nhleko said he is aware of the lack of resources and that he will engage with the Department of Public Works about expanding the eMbalenhle Police Station.
He urged residents to work with the police in the fight against crime and to make use of the little resources available.
He appealed to members of the police to teach residents about their rights and to advise them to report corrupt police officials.
“Crime is not only a police issue, but a societal issue.
“It is all of our responsibility to make sure that we live in safe communities.”
Mr Nhleko said he will return in May for a follow up on the matters raised and to give feedback.
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