Police meeting with other stakeholders

Vosman police held an outreach programme meeting with ward councillors, their ward committees, CPF members, community members and other stakeholders at Vosman.

The meeting was held at the Sinqobile Community Hall on Thursday, February 9.

Vosman Police station communication officer Captain Klaas Maloka chairing the stakeholders meeting held at the Sinqobile Community Hall on Thursday, February 9.

The stakeholders met to discuss problems in the Vosman policing area especially problems faced by the foreigner shop owners. Vosman Police station communication officer Captain Klaas Maloka chairing the stakeholders meeting reported that they were concerned about business and house robberies. He indicated the importance of finding a solution to the problem. Councillors also voiced out their concerns and challenges they face in their wards. They also said they feel that foreigners were not involving themselves in community matters and some community members has resentment against them and still feel that they have taken away business from the locals.

A slide about business robberies and house robberies was shown by Constable Mantu Ngwenya giving statistics of crime committed in the Vosman policing area.

Constable Mantu Ngwenya giving statistics about crime in the Vosman policing area.

“Some of these shop owners operate like ‘mafia gangs’ one owner owns five shops but is never available when needed. Some of them do not stick to the by-laws of the municipality and the food they sell is not of good quality. Some of them sleep inside their shops with the food inside and some do not have proper documents to operate by. We are not against them per se, but they need to follow rules and have proper documents,” were some of the issues raised by the councillors.

Another councillor suggested that another meeting be held whereby the department of Home Affairs, SARS, Law Enforcement, health inspectors police and other departments to conduct a proper search and investigations. Other raised concerns about safety and police responding time. The issue of taverns not closing on time and selling liquor to under age children was also discussed.

Mr Sam Mabuza from a security service company and Mr David Makgetloa (Vosman Police Station CPF chairperson).

It was agreed that a working relationship needs to be developed between community members, foreigner shop owners, CPF members, police and landlords to have partnership. It was pointed out from representatives that the foreigner shops owners must attend such meetings to prevent hostile attitudes. Councillors said they were prepared to work with foreigner shop owners in their wards, provided they follow rules like everybody else. Security companies who were present said they have developed a good relationship with the foreigner shop owners and community and also report to them when they see crime committed in their area.

Contact numbers of different officers starting with the station commander, sector commander, CPF chairman and other officers were given out.

Ward councillors, ward committee members, security companies and members of the community during a stakeholders meeting held at the Sinqobile Community Hall on Thursday, February 9.

It was proposed that the next meeting will be held at Hlalanikahle Community Hall on Thursday, May 11 starting at 10:00.

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