The Bronkhorstspruit police commander, Colonel Maqhawe Simon Dhladhla, in conjunction with Eskom and the Department of Health, held a community engagement in Sokhulumi on August 21.

The purpose of the meeting was to address the community on ongoing infrastructure challenges affecting safety, well-being and quality of life in the precinct.

“During the meeting, Colonel Dhladhla addressed the community on matters of safety and electricity-related problems,” said Constable Cathrine Ramovha, corporate communications officer for Bronkhorstspruit SAPS.

Issues discussed included the theft of electricity cables, inadequate lighting, and damaged or insufficient public service facilities.

“These matters impact not only daily life but also hinder effective policing and emergency responses,” said Ramovha.

Dhladhla emphasised that the police recognised the frustration and concerns of residents.

“As SAPS, we cannot work in isolation. A safe and functional environment is the product of joint responsibility and collaborative effort between law enforcement, government departments and community members,” he said.

“To this end, our station is committed to working closely with the relevant municipal and provincial authorities to escalate and resolve infrastructure-related issues that compromise safety and service delivery.”

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He explained that the police are strengthening their partnerships with local CPF structures, ward councillors and civic organisations to ensure that community voices are heard and action is taken where it matters most.

“We urge all community members to actively participate in upcoming community forums, imbizos and neighbourhood watch initiatives. Your input and vigilance play a critical role in helping us prioritise areas in urgent need of intervention.

“Let us stand together not only to fight crime but also to build community infrastructure that supports safety, dignity and growth for all,” Dhladhla concluded.

The community was also encouraged to rate the police service by participating in the SAPS QR code online survey to help improve service delivery.