LEANDRA – Community members of Leandra marched to their police station on 16 March, demanding police action.
The community is accusing the police of failing to do their job, saying crime is daily increasing in their area.
They alleged that some cops are part of criminal syndicates and are working with criminals.
“We were surprised to hear police are saying the only new thing in our memorandum is the tombstone issue.
“Our police are not serious. How can you say you know about the crime that affects people when you are not doing anything to combat it?” asked Mr Mlungisi Mnyukana, a community leader.
“Something is wrong with our police. They say they know about the crime that affects us, but they don’t tell us what they are going to do about it,” he said.
Community members said they are tired of the crimes that make their lives difficult.
In the memorandum, the community said they are concerned about crimes such as rape, murder, housebreaking, gangsters and the damaging of tombstones.
Capt Mikiam Masuluke, who took their memorandum on behalf of the station commander, told the marchers that he will give the memorandum to the station commander upon his return.
Capt Masuluke also promised that the police will attend to the grievances.
He told the community that the police had tried to hold crime meetings at Lebohang several times, but these meetings were disrupted by some residents.
Capt Masuluke also pleaded with the community not to aid and harbour criminals and then blame the police.
The marchers claim that when they report a crime in their neighbourhoods or at their homes, the cases disappear because some police officers are protecting the criminals.
“We lost trust in police, because of criminals that are terrorising us. It is even difficult to go buy bread at a nearby shop because of gangsters who are carrying around dangerous weapons such as pangas and worse,” said Mr Mnyukane.
Capt Masuluke promised the community response within seven days as is demanded in their memorandum.
