VEREENIGING – As a way of mending relations between law enforcement and the public, police management, together with various stakeholders conducted a visit to the Vereeniging taxi rank recently [Thursday, February 22].
Leading the visit as part of Operation Shanela Imbizo was Sedibeng Cluster Police Commissioner, Major General Nkhesani Lemba, who voiced the purpose behind the engagement.
Addressing the gathered crowds, Lemba highlighted the meaning of the operation, stating, “Every Thursday, as part of our Shanela Operation, we hold Imbizo and this week we visited your rank to engage with taxi operators, owners, and association leaders.”
“This initiative is crucial as numerous crimes often occur within and around your space. By collaborating with different stakeholders such as yourselves, as per the integrated violent and crime prevention strategy, we aim to forge strong relationships to better serve and protect your community,” she said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the imbizo, Lemba highlighted the importance of addressing concerns raised by the taxi industry, particularly regarding increased police visibility in the evenings to prevent crime.
Moreover, she stressed compliance with firearm regulations among those in possession of licensed firearms.
She later commended the role played by the taxi industry during the 2021 unrest by protecting malls from harm.
“The taxi industry has demonstrated its commitment to community safety, particularly during the 2021 South African unrest, where they played a key role in safeguarding malls. We commend their contributions and wish they can continue working with us,” she said.
The police’s visit to ‘Vrega’ comes in the wake of a previous operation in 2022, which resulted in the arrest of five police officers from the Sedibeng Task Team on allegations of drug dealing.
Lemba emphasized the role of citizens in identifying and reporting corrupt practices within the police force.
“In areas where we fall short, we urge the community to report any misconduct within our ranks. By doing so, we can effectively weed out corrupt officers and earn the trust of our communities, be it in the business sector, private sphere, or public domain,” she concluded.
