Imbizo takes SAPS back to the drawing board
Most community members had complaints about the mines that are operating near their residential areas and the lack of job opportunities.
With all their frustrations and complaints, the Phola community was summoned to an Imbizo held by the police.
The police station commander and a team of officers gathered to listen to and address the issues that the community is facing.
The SAPS Imbizo was held on Friday, February 18 at the Masakhane Sports Ground in Phola and community members came in numbers to seek solutions.
Most community members had complaints about the mines that are operating near their residential areas and the lack of job opportunities.
Many also raised concerns about unlicensed firearms and drug dealing that happen in the community.
Other stakeholders such as the Youth Desk, CPF, Community in Blue, Security companies, Foundation for Victims of Crime (Fovoc) representatives, Phola MRM Structure members had also attended.
Charlotte Rankwe, from Fovoc said that the concerns that the public had, especially regarding their office were that men are sometimes neglected when it comes to issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“Most of the people raised issues of men being victims of the crime and said that men are not given the same attention. We do give men psychosocial support whenever they are facing GBV. We usually do awareness campaigns around schools to educate learners. If the public would like to communicate with us, they can call us or send a message to 013 656 0742,” said Charlotte.
Phola Police Station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Nape Matlala said that some of the people raised an issue that they are having with the station.
“The main concern was that when they open cases, the complainants do not get updates from the police, which really frustrate them. We are surprised by the attendance of the community. It means that the public was waiting for us to come to them and they embraced it with open arms. I am happy that they raised concerns so that we can go back to the drawing board and try to rectify,” added Matlala.
Read More:
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/188553/ending-the-perpetuating-battle-of-bullying-in-phola/
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