Pretoria – Police Minister Nathi Nhleko has urged the community of Diepsloot to work hand in hand with the police to curb crime in the area.
The Minister on Friday officially opened the Diepsloot Police Station which was built at a cost of R105 million. Local residents were offered temporary employment during construction of the station through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
“We should all join hands in the fight against crime,” he said.
Minister Nhleko also called on the community to protect the women and children, saying they should use the local policing structures to fight crime in their areas.
“Development comes when there is peace … It is also upon communities to ensure their safety,” he said.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of community policing structures.
Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kgomotso Phahlane, encouraged the community to work with the Station Commander and his team in the fight against crime.
“Together with #CrimeMustFall, police killings must also fall. The murders of protectors in blue is unacceptable and police killers must be turned in by the community.
“You, the community, requested this police station and in line with our government’s direction we heeded the call to take our services to the people,” he said.
Phahlane said the SAPS was delighted to have the new police station constructed in the area to serve and protect the people of Diepsloot more efficiently and effectively.
“A well-functioning police station is important to people in any particular community. It brings hope that whenever you have a challenge, you will have people who are there to listen to you and who are willing to assist you,” he said.
Phahlane said in 2014, government embarked on a programme to revamp and restructure police stations through the Frontline Service Delivery (FSD) programme.
The FSD is driven by the Presidency to ensure the Batho Pele principles of putting the people first are implemented.
“Cracking down on crime, drug lords, corruption and criminals is a pressing matter. We have and will continue to deal with our own members who use our dignified badge to do the opposite of what it stands for.
“We call upon our community to report any misconduct. We will welcome your constructive criticism and we will welcome your compliments when we do excellent police work,” he said.
To beef-up the fight against crime in the area, Minister Nhleko handed over 21 new vehicles to the station.
A Diepsloot resident, who came to witness the official opening of the police station, Jonathan Sathekge, told SAnews that he feels safer with the completed police station.
“We are grateful for the new police station because it is right at our doorstep and that will scare criminals,” he said.
He said there was now high police visibility.
Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi visited the police station last year, while it was still under construction.
During his visit, he interacted with the local residents and apologised for the delay in the completion of the building.
Construction of the police station started in March 2008 and it was fully completed early this year. – SAnews.gov.za
