A call for the establishment of a Joint Gang Violence Task Team was made during a community engagement on crime and policing in Eldorado Park and Klipspruit West.

The engagement, hosted by the Community Policing Forum (CPF), was held at the Albertus PoP Centre in Eldorado Park Extension 8 on October 2.

The event brought together the Eldorado Park SAPS, Kliptown SAPS, the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), and various community structures.

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City of Johannesburg Speaker Councillor Margaret Arnolds directed the programme and spoke about the importance of collaboration between communities, law enforcement, and legislative oversight bodies.

The chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Dr Bandile Masuku, delivered the keynote address, focusing on collaboration and oversight in community safety.

Gauteng Provincial Secretariat Central Corridor Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini led a session on collaborative efforts to fight crime in Johannesburg and Eldorado Park.

During the session, a call was made for the establishment of a Joint Gang Violence Task Team to address gangsterism, drug trafficking, violence, and related criminal activity affecting communities.

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Representatives from Gangs to Grace, No More Victims, Come Back Mission, the Women’s Forum, Neighbourhood Watch, faith-based organisations, the Eldorado Park Taxi Association, business, and sports structures also made inputs.

The Eldorado Park SAPS presented on crime and policing in the area, collaboration with community organisations, and progress on reported gender-based violence (GBV) cases, murder cases, and gang-related shootings and killings.

The CPF, represented by Dominic Palmer, also presented on collaboration between the SAPS and the Multistakeholder Forum.

The Eldorado Park SAPS management thanked all stakeholders, community organisations, and residents who attended and participated in the engagement.

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The resolutions taken, including the call for a dedicated Joint Gang Violence Task Team, will be taken forward with the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Residents with information about illegal activities can contact the Eldorado Park SAPS on 011 946 0300 or 082 444 3001.

Alternatively, tipsters can remain anonymous by contacting the SAPS Crime Stop Hotline on 08600 10111.