In concerted efforts to strengthen the relationship between the community and the SAPS, police in De Deur, in conjunction with various stakeholders, conducted the first community engagement of 2026 at Ramaphosa informal settlement, Flames of Fire Church, on January 21.

The Department of Community Safety, Ward 16 Councillor Taliyana Zinyana, and the De Deur CPF attended this public meeting.

Speaking to Ster North, police spokesperson Constable Mampho Mahlomola states that these community engagements present an opportunity for discussions on how crime can be tackled in an area and how a working relationship between the community and police can be forged.

“Engaging with the community is an initiative to source information and to find ways to police the area effectively.”

During the meeting, public members raised questions and concerns about their area. The SAPS relies on this information from the public to better address crime in the mentioned area.

Addressing the community, De Deur SAPS station commander Colonel Zachariah Ranake emphasised the importance of the community sharing information regarding illegal activities taking place in their area. He further sensitised the community on how fighting criminality in the area will be easy and produce results if the community makes information available.

Ranake encourages the community to never raise their concerns by taking the law into their own hands, but rather find the right and relevant personnel to raise concerns.

He further warned the community to refrain from mob justice, stating that when any person is suspected of a crime or is found committing a crime, police must be notified immediately, and the suspect must be handed over to the police unharmed.

Ranake encouraged the community to report cases when crime has occurred and never to overlook any criminal activity in their area.