Marikana police are reportedly failing to serve the people in the areas they police.
Some community members say they are either ignored or dismissed by law enforcement officers when they report cases such as rape and housebreaking. A group of women, called Sikhala Sonke, marched to the Marikana Police station this week demanding that the station improves its operations.
Women were furious as they marched for what they say is unfair treatment by police. They say housebreaking, rape and assault are some of the prevalent crimes committed in the area.
Although these women have resorted to grouping themselves to try and assist victims by advising them on which route to take, they say nothing positive comes out of it, as police do not play their part.
Marikana, as a mining community, is made up of informal settlements, where crime is reportedly rife. Police are also accused of only becoming involved when it’s the end of the month. It is alleged that that is when they raid tuckshops and allegedly receive bribes.
“When people fight, the station commander dismisses them, and says they must sort it out on the way. I have never seen something like that. We want them to protect us. When somebody dies in Marikana, they mustn’t take three hours before responding.”
“When they want to raid shops, they come quickly. But when we come to report we are either told that there are no vans or that we should wait for the station commander.”
Xolisa Bangalala says her child was knocked down by a police officer’s car and died on the scene.
She says justice has not yet prevailed as she has not even been informed about whether a case has been opened against the officer. She is still struggling to come to terms with what happened to her child.
“My child was hit by a police officer’s car at the bridge near Marikana West. When I arrived at the scene, I found that it was my child. So, I asked why the officer was not arrested, and was told that every person has the right. So, I guess my child’s right was only to die.”
North West police spokesperson – Sabata Mokgwaabone – says the memorandum submitted is being given attention.
“We are aware of the memorandum which was handed to Marikana police by the residents of Marikana.That particular memorandum is getting attention.”
But, the Freedom of Expression Network says failure by police to respond positively to the memorandum will lead to them seeking legal advice with a view of approaching the courts for recourse.
“There has been various cases raised by communities here, regarding the rape cases, regarding the conduct of police that are still pending, the cases that have been dismissed, arrogantly so, by police officers. If the date will actually lapse, that’s then that the office of the FXN will actually deal with their lawyers on making sure that the right in the constitution that these people did today would be adhered to,” says Portia Bopalamo of Freedom of Expression Network
It is alleged that the Marikana police station has only one van, which is also used to ferry detainees to court.
This reportedly leads to people either waiting for a long time to be attended to, or not being assisted at all.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za
The Guardian 