Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
12 October 2023
The Deputy Minister of Police, Mr. Cassel Mathale, and the SAPS management visited the community onSaturday, 07 October 2023, at the Sasol Recreation Centre in eMbalenhle.
The community visit served as a platform for the SAPS management to better understand the local policing issues while enhancing collaboration between the community and the SAPS in an effort to prevent crime.
Community members raised crime issues including drugs, foreign-owned shops selling expired food, car thefts, and more.
While others touched on local issues, others voiced out on the low services provided at the police station in eMbalenhle and pleaded for at least two (2) more stations, one in Ext 26 and one in Welas.
Community members further raised the corruption issue within our municipality, including the lack of employment and empty promises committed to them.
“We do appreciate and love the work our Executive Mayor has done, but in most cases, we forget about the effort because of his surroundings, said one of the community members during the engagement.
During responses from the panel, Govan Mbeki Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr. Nlankanipho Zuma, stated that community members should not be afraid to voice out when they see something wrong done behind his back.
“We cannot help the community if they do not return the favor,” said Cllr. Nlankanipho Zuma, GMM Executive Mayor.
In conclusion, Mr. Cassel Mathale promised that there would be improvement within the community, especially during the festive season.
