DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE LEADS CRIME PREVENTION IMBIZO IN MANKWENG,LIMPOPO
LIMPOPO – The Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale joined by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs party, Mr Mosa Steve Chabane(MP), member of the Mayoral Committee Cllr Caroline Mamabolo, Major General Thokozani Mathonsi: Head Office Division Visible and Operations, Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, senior management from National and Provincial office, representative of local and district Municipality,
Popcru, stakeholders including Faith Based Organisations, Community Policing Forum, Community in Blue, and Junior Commissioner, had today on Saturday 20 May 2023 engaged with Community and stakeholders on issues of concerns and challenges relating to crime including GBV, in a Ministerial imbizo held at GaMothiba in Limpopo Province.
The Deputy Minister and his entourage including Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo started off by paying visit to the Ga-Mothiba tribal council.
Major General Masilo, during the briefing session presented on the crime overview in Mankweng policing area which indicated that there is an increase in cases of, Theft of cables, theft of motor vehicles, Residential Burglaries, online shopping scams and Gender Based Violence. Mankweng is listed as top 30 station in crime in the country.
Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale handed over the gadget (siren sensor alarms) to the tribal authority to be given to the elders of Mankweng GaMothiba for crime prevention.
All stakeholders headed to Mankweng police station to conduct a side visit, before they proceeded to Mankweng sports ground, where members of the community have already gathered.
Major General Mathonsi outlined purpose of the event which was
to engage with Community members and to provide platform to voice out concerns and challenges relating to crime, and to join hands with stakeholders to root out all criminal elements in Mankweng.
During the engagement,
Community members were given a chance to speak their grievances, which include lack of resources, lack of prosecution, poor service when reporting cases, and lack of feedback from Detectives.
Responding to the challenges, The Provincial Chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF) pleaded with Community members to work together with crime prevention structures and police. “if complainant reported the case to police and not satisfied with the outcome, they may escalate the matter to the management”.
Different stakeholders gave solutions to the community. Community prosecutor responding to enquiry on children’s court, advised community to report the negative court outcomes to the legal aid for further review.
Provincial Commissioner tasked Capricorn District Commissioner Major General Masilo and Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Crime Detection Major General Manala to respond to the grievances.
The management ensured all the concerns are penned down with the objective of making follow ups.
Delivering his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of police Cassel Mathale, said ” it is the responsibility of the community to work together with the Police to defeat crime.They will be peace when communities are working together.Refrain from renting out your houses to the criminals that are killing your children with drugs.Mankweng has been reported to be on top 30 station high in crime around SA. “We are going to solve all the challenges you mentioned here, we will make sure that Civilian secretariat note all the concerns, and feedback will be provided.”
In conclusion, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe rendered vote of thanks speech, she appreciated the support from the traditional council, she thanked all the dignitaries, stakeholders community structures, and the community for their full attendance and participation.
Saps band entertained the community and the event was closed officially with a prayer.
