By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said it is not all police officers who are unscrupulous and reluctant to assist communities. Lehari was speaking during the joint Ministerial Imbizo held by the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenneth Morolong and Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale at Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Tuesday.
Lehari applauded police who are dedicated for their unwavering commitment in serving communities. He further said though there could be some in the police who are unscrupulous, there are many who live for the profession.
“If you work closely with police, you will realise how loyal they are. They serve our communities with dedication under difficult circumstances. They avail themselves under difficult conditions, having to face hard-core criminals with their lives in danger.
“We understand that there are those who tarnish the uniform. We appreciate the presence of the communities, who came in numbers and participated fully during the imbizo,” said Lehari.
He added that they described this as a sign of willingness to work with the police in the fight against crime and in creating a safer environment. Lehari said the session showcased the fruits, which the 30-year-old democracy continues to yield.
“We are now able to express ourselves openly. We have also created platforms where communities can engage their government freely without censorship on issues relating to service delivery,” he said.
The Provincial Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson, Robert Malungane called on parents to work with teachers and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to protect their learners and cultivate a sense of responsibility and discipline at a tender age.
Malungane was responding to a concern raised by a community member, who raised an issue regarding violence and gangsterism in schools.
“The school environment can be safe when parents work together with teachers and School Governing Bodies (SGB). We need your attendance at parents’ meetings, so that we work together to instil discipline in these learners.
“It is also important as a community to work with police to strengthen the fight against crime. We have noted issues raised by the community, such as a high crime rate and drug usage in townships, limited police visibility, lack of police resources like vehicles and staff shortage and traveling long distances to access police services,” he said.
There had also been concern about illegal foreign nationals who are suspected to be involved in criminality. Other concerns and complaints were responded to immediately by government entities with others to be followed up for proper investigation by relevant specialised police units.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Ministers addressed the community members and in general encouraged communities not to withdraw cases, especially Gender Based Violence (GBV) and sexual assaults. The imbizo was held with District Development Model (DDM) approach, where all state organs from national, province and municipal level work together.
Though this was a community engagement against crime, issues around service delivery in general were raised.
The Guardian 