A new police station that has been built in Tembisa is making the township’s residents feel safe and secure. It has also made the officers who work tirelessly to fight crime there accessible to the community, writes Nosihle Shelembe.
With 138 dedicated staff members, the police station has been making life difficult for criminals. And Station Commander Colonel Samuel Maredi says gone are the days when criminals took advantage of the community because there was only one police station in the whole of Tembisa.
The Tembisa South Police Station, which was opened by Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, was built to assist the old police station which could no longer deal with the volume of complaints it received from the community.
The state-of-the-art building, which is located in the Ethafeni Section, provides its services to more than 280 000 people. Even though it has only been six months since its doors opened, the impact of the police station has been felt by the community.
Colonel Maredi says his officers are dedicated members who are always ready to go beyond the call of duty to serve the community.
“My staff knows what is expected of them. They are not people who need to be pushed,” he says.
Crimes that are mostly reported at the police station include house robberies, house breakings, business robbery, rape, assault and murder.
Colonel Maredi says the police station has a number of programmes aimed at fighting crime. As South Africa marks the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, the police station embarked on what it called Operation Basadi (women).
The programme is aimed at creating awareness about the abuse of women and children in communities.
Police officers visit churches and squatter camps to encourage people to report cases of rape.
“It [Operation Basadi] also empowers the community members by informing them what they can do when they find themselves in an abusive relationship,” Colonel Maredi says.
Colonel Maredi, who joined the police force in 1987, had worked at a number of police stations, in different townships throughout his career.
He was awarded the rank of a Colonel in 2004.
His belief is that to fight crime, it’s important for police to maintain a good working relationship with the community.
“As a police officer you need to commit yourself to the community and you will enjoy the work. If you distance yourself from the community you will never win the trust of the community.”
When speaking to SAnews, residents of Tembisa commended the men and women in blue who have dedicated their lives to fighting crime in the township.
Deputy Secretary of the Community Policing Forum Francina Sibambo says she had a good working relationship with the police at the station.
“Having a police station in our area has made me feel secured. There’s a difference in the community, I feel safe,” Sibambo says.
Another resident, Angel Mazibuko says she was happy that a police station was built at her door step and has made her life easier.
Mazibuko commended the staff at the police station for being helpful and responsive.
Moses Resky thinks that crime will decrease in the area because of the new police station.
“I feel safe…it’s my first time coming here but the service was good. The police are attending to my case,” Resky says after his visit to the station. – SAnews.gov.za
