Residents from Gugulethu flocked to the Gugulethu Indoor Sport Complex on Wednesday 17 June, during the Western Cape Crime Prevention Imbizo organised by the provincial police. The officers were interacting with the community to ascertain the challenges they are facing and how they can resolve them by working together.

Police pledge to act on community grievances

Provincial police spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa described the gathering as a platform for all community stakeholders to vent their frustrations. She said the aim was to create a conducive environment for all.

“We are here to listen to the community about the challenges they are facing and how we can solve them. It is important that, as we render services in the province, we also visit them to listen to their grievances. We know that crime is constantly evolving. Every year there are new patterns and new hotspots and the leadership of police stations in our communities is also changing,” said Potelwa, adding that community members are the primary source of intelligence in their societies.

She stated that they would go across the province engaging with communities. She said that they had already been to Kraaifontein and Lwandle and that after Gugulethu, they would proceed to Bishop Lavis and other areas.

She identified the City of Cape Town district as having the highest crime rate in the province.

Cape Town named Western Cape’s worst crime hotspot

“In the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town District has a high crime rate, as evidenced by the shooting incidents, murders and illegal firearms. The taxi-related violence has also had an impact on the rising number of murders,” she said.

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She mentioned extortion, murder and aggravated assault as key concerns. She urged people to work with officers to fight crime. Potelwa added that they are working hard to discipline those officers who are on the wrong side of the law.

Gugulethu Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum coordinator Rev Zama Mfihlo said all they need is action, more than engagements. He complained about the shortage of resources and manpower at Gugulethu Police Station.

Gugulethu station faces critical staff shortage

“There are shortages of police vans and we need more police deployment at the station. There are officers who have retired but whose posts have not been filled. For example, the station has had an acting station commander for almost two years. A station like Gugulethu needs a permanent station commander. We need stability in the station to be able to fight crime,” said Mfihlo.

He downplayed the poor attendance at the event, stating that some people were at work. However, he emphasised the importance of community members attending such events to table their complaints.

Community member Wonke Mapeyi complained about the lack of police visibility in the community.

Residents call for justice system accountability

“I am so disappointed that there is no representative from the Department of Justice on the panel. In many cases, the Justice Department is failing us because the officers arrest the culprit and the court releases him on bail without even consulting the family or community,” he said.