Photo by [Zimoja]
Residents of Westbury in Johannesburg have repeatedly voiced their lack of trust in the local police. They often point out police inefficiency in combating increased criminal activity and gang-related violence in the area.
Westbury has been afflicted with gang-related shootings after an alleged gang leader was gunned down in his vehicle last month. In what is perceived as retaliation, the shootings resulted in two fatalities and many more injured in separate incidents.
Police Minister Bheki Cele on Tuesday deployed a specialised task force in Westbury, which comprises the Metro Police Department, Anti-Gang Unit and Tactical Response Team.
For the next three months, their mission will be to stabilise and restore safety and order in the community. However, community members are not entirely convinced, as the Police Minister issued the same rhetoric back in 2018.
A Fearful Community
Camry Jacobs, Member of the Yes Movement of Westbury, told Salaamedia the community is terrified. They are afraid to leave their homes as the shootings occurred in broad daylight, leaving many to wonder what the point of the police is.
“At some point, the residents felt the police station should be closed down because there is no assistance to the residents. As much as there is police visibility, arrests are being made, but yet the gunshots are still going off. Yet life is still taken. The community has lost their trust in the Sophiatown Police Station.”
While speaking at a local stadium Minister Cele told the squadron of officers present, “We can’t have a community that doesn’t sleep, a community converted into a cemetery … We can’t have a community where children aren’t safe and can’t play … Here, kids are in prison, and it is our duty to come and release them.”
In addition, he said, the task force is responsible for ensuring the environment is made safe for the community.
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Can SAPS Mend Its Relationship with the Community?
During his speech, Minister Cele said he knows about the community’s issues with the Sophiatown Police Station. He warned the task force not to betray, once more, the trust and the goodwill of the people.
“You [officers] should not be influenced in the way that the community will begin to doubt you. Create a friendship with the community. They must be able to come to you, and you [officers] must have the will to be part of this community.”
Jacobs said a slight bit of hope resonated in the community after the officials heard and addressed their worries and concerns regarding the police. However, the district has expectations, and the question is, will the police fulfil them?
“We want the police to do [their jobs], that is, [more] police visibility. We want to stop encroachments [from happening]. We want unsolved cases to be re-looked at … The amount of arrests that need to be made, [need] convictions.”
The Westbury community wants to feel safe. They want their children to feel safe walking and playing in the streets. They want to be able to walk freely without the fear of a stray bullet hitting them.
