Community policing forum formed in Zandspruit
ZANDSPRUIT – Community members and police officers form a new community policing forum to fight crime in the area.
Gunshots at night, men beating up their women and tenants with illegal firearms were among many problems raised by residents during the first community policing forum meeting in Zandspruit.
During the meeting held at Masakhane Community Centre on 22 September, a newly formed forum was introduced.
Residents also complained about shacks in Zandspruit that are owned by working-class community members who reside in Cosmo City.
One resident said, “These landlords don’t stay here. They just come and grab stands, build shacks and rent them out to people just for quick cash. The problem is these tenants are not supervised or registered in our community database making it complicated for us to monitor them, and these are the people committing crimes including hiding guns in those shacks.”
Victor Mafinya, a community member, said that they were paving a way towards forming the new strong Zandspruit sector policing forum to help fight crime.
“We are going to stand together and say no to criminals in Zandspruit,” said Mafinya.
Captain Bhekani Gumede from Honeydew Police Station said he was there to work with the community and to make sure everything gets done properly.
“We are urging residents to come forward with any crime related information they might have. This will be the first step towards tackling crime,” said Capt Gumede.
He said they were still going to elect sector crime, sub-sector crime forums and executive committee around Zandspruit, Cosmo City and Itsoseng.
Cluster Commander Superintendent Wandile Mrubata of JMPD warned against people who are building permanent structures illegally in Zandspruit.
“One person told us he bought the land from the community leaders. I need you to know that it is not allowed and as JMPD we will be forced to demolish those structures,” said Supt Mrubata.
Details: Superintendent Wandile Mrubata on 083 240 0920.
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