New leadership at Moffat View SAPS

IN a much-anticipated public meeting of Wards 56, 57 and 124 held on January 18 at Regents Park Primary School, a new Moffat View SAPS station commander, Col Lesley Lloyd and his team were introduced to the community.

In his welcoming speech, Moffat View CPF chairperson Godfrey Mrobongwana said he knows the frustrations the community of these wards endures at the hands of the previous Moffat View SAPS. “Last year’s mayhem, which started on February 5 where the community took the law into their hands, marched and burned houses suspected to be brothels and drug dens, was the reason why we have this new management.

“The community wanted a total overhaul of the station. The government has listened to your pleas. Today we are pleased to present the new management to the community and they promised to work effectively with the community.

“We need to give them a chance. Also, we urge the community to work with them together with the sectors and CPFs. There are programmes in place that we want to implement in order to prevent crime.

“We will need the support of the community. With the energy and enthusiasm shown by this new team, the crime in this area will be history,” explained Mrobongwana.

Lloyd said there will be changes in the manner the police work in the area. He will be assisted by Lt Col Shunny Govender, head of visible policing.

“We know there are complaints, comments, questions and concerns from the community. We are here to listen. Give us the specifics. Which are the name of the streets and addresses of these problem areas? Also, we want you to tell us where you feel we let you down.

“Give us time. We will respond to your queries. Again, remember that we have an open door policy in our station and a suggestion box will be in place for the community. Do not wait for another meeting. Come to us with your problems,” said Lloyd.

The community raised their various concerns and it was clear that the new management will have a mammoth task to turn around the situation in the area.

Some of the concerns include:

• There are still old police officers at Moffat View Police Station who take bribes.

• Some of the foreign shops are drug dens.

• Burglary is increasing and there is no police visibility in the area.

• House hijackings and illegal evictions assisted by the police.

• Shebeens next to schools. Where do these owners get their licenses?

• In Augusta Street in Regents Park and Johannesburg Road in La Rochelle drugs are being sold.

• Enforcement of bylaws.

• The station has a bad stigma of being corrupt. How will this be rectified?

• Parks used as meeting place for drug lords which endangers the safety of the children.

• Mushrooming of churches and 24-hour taverns.

• Every meeting one and the same things are being said and no action from the police.

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