Bishop Lavis police station’s head of visible policing, Colonel Muneeb Africa, front middle, seen sharing a light moment with Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie, will be transferred to Milnerton police station.
The transfer of two high-ranking police officers from the Bishop Lavis police station is a blow to community policing in the precinct, says Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie.
Head of visible policing Colonel Munier Africa will be transferred to Milnerton police station, and operations head Colonel Berket Mohamed will be transferred Nyanga police station.
It’s not clear when the transfers will happen, according to Bishop Lavis police spokeswoman Sergeant Samantha Adonis.
“We don’t know why they are leaving; they just received their letters yesterday. Such information is not disclosed to us,” she said.
According to her, Colonel Mohamed started at the station in 2007 and worked his way up the ranks with transfers to other stations over the years, while Colonel Africa started at the station about three years ago.
Mr McKenzie said the transfers “once again highlighted the dysfunction and short-sighted leadership that existed within SAPS management”.
He added: “This has now left a massive void in community policing within this precinct that will literally be impossible to fill. Between these two dedicated officers, we have built a foundation in Bishop Lavis, which many would have deemed to be impossible. Indeed, this is a sad day for all of us and probably the happiest for those we have managed to suppress and eradicate over the last few years.”
The biggest problem with policing was not the officers, but rather the management of police, he said.
“Colonel Africa’s ability to connect with the community, his ability to see to the the needs of the community and his ability to love this place as much as he does was key. Not a single resident can turn around and say they don’t know Colonel Africa, not a single gangster can say he was treated unfairly and I can never say he was never available for me.“
Bonteheuwel resident Sadieka Abrahams said that Colonel Africa had always helped families whose relatives struggled with drug addiction.
“He always supported us, especially my mother. He sat with her and listened and gave advice. He didn’t just say we needed to get an interdict. We need people like that in the police force,” she said.
Another resident, Douglas Fick, however, said gang shooting and other crime persisted in the area as police visibility remained poor, and he felt the transfers would make little difference.
“They can try different chiefs as many times as they like, but it won’t help. It’s not them doing the work, it’s the officers under them,” he said.
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Andrè Traut said the transfers were an “internal process” that had yet to be finalised. “On this basis, it cannot be discussed with third parties at this stage.”
Colonel Africa said he was not allowed to speak to the media. Colonel Mohamed did not respond to calls or messages from the Athlone News.