HOME Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Police Minister Bheki Cele and other dignitaries gathered in West Village for a crime-combating imbizo on Saturday, 6 August.
It was aimed at giving residents a platform to discuss and engage the SAPS on crimes around the community and set up long-term policing interventions.
This following the gang rape that shocked the country, also putting the spotlight on crimes committed on illegal mines.
Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said they wanted to find ways of dealing with problems raised by residents.
“We understand how you feel – your pain is our pain, and your challenges ours. We have seen and heard of what happened here.”
Mosikili further said they had seen eight women, among many others, being raped, allegedly by illegal miners also known as zama zamas.
She said it was their duty to ensure that those who were in the country illegally be deported.
Angry residents told officials that instead of being protected by the police, they were giving them to perpetrators on a silver platter.
One resident said: “It is not only the police that are failing us, but also Home Affairs. Our sisters are married to foreigners without their knowledge.”
They added that their local police station was regarded as a spaza shop due to its continuous failure to serve the community.
Loraine Mahumani said in July, her home was invaded.
“As we speak, my child is fighting for life in hospital. My child can’t even identify me when I visit.”
Then Grace Pule said the area did not have a councillor and cops were visible, but only to take bribes.
Inspectorate chief director Modiri Matthews said the minister had introduced the border guide that would stop illegal immigrants from entering the country.
Responding to concerns raised by residents, Mosikili said they had units among the police that were dealing with corruption. She also urged them to report crime at 0800 333 177 or 08600 10111.
“We heard of the lack of police visibility. We should go back to the drawing board and make sure that visibility is there,” she added.
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Councillor Lebewana Lesotho said: “We know our police are struggling, vans are short and they don’t have enough equipment. We need to work hand in hand with them.”
Cele said public representatives should not refer to what they were doing as jobs because they were serving.
“There is a difference between a job and serving. Ward councillors must address their communities at least twice a month. We can’t convert South Africa to prison; we already have 144 000 prisoners – 32,2% overpopulated. Something extra has to be done. One of those things is that young people must be employed,” he said.