Residents threaten to take over police station

CLUB 2000 crime activists have given the SAPS Frances Baard district commissioner until October 28 to meet with them to address rising crime levels. Failing this, they intend to occupy Kagisho police station and take over crime prevention duties.

Community members said they were tired of crime and believed that the police were not doing enough to protect them.

“Our homes are broken into by thugs daily and cable theft is commonplace. We are not safe inside our own homes. Drug lords jump out of unused containers to rob people on their way to work or school. We are prepared to do the work and will operate from Kagisho police station because we are not receiving any assistance,” the residents said.

A sergeant from Kagisho police station was reportedly told to leave after arriving at a community meeting this week in an inebriated state.

One resident said robbers had stolen all her underwear and repeatedly broke down her front door to gain entry to her house.

Residents requested that a mobile police caravan be stationed in the area or that a satellite police office be opened in Club 2000.

“We require one police officer to assist us when we conduct neighbourhood patrols and drug raids. Drug lords shake hands with the police while the community is warned that we will be arrested if we retaliate or try to protect ourselves. We are risking our lives when we are injured and attacked by criminals, but are left powerless, as we were told we are not permitted to assault suspects.

“The police are failing us. Our hard-earned belongings are stolen by nyaope users who raid our cupboards and eat all our food. What are we to do? If the police do not fight crime, then we must take over the police station and do the work,” they added.

Community leader Thabiso Louw said he felt undermined and disrespected when the Frances Baard district commissioner failed to honour an agreement to receive a community petition on October 19.

“It was resolved on October 22 that we will give her until next week Tuesday to meet with us, failing which further steps will be taken,” Louw said.

He noted that criminals were most active between midnight and 4am.

“There is always an excuse when the police must visit drug houses. We do not want to take the law into our own hands, but the community is left to fend off drug dealers on its own. No action is taken after handing suspects to the police and providing their addresses. Residents took it upon themselves to cut down a tree that was being used as a hideout by criminals. 

“Roads will be closed and tyres will burn until high-ranking police officers show us respect. Whenever they are needed, there is always a story. That is why drug dealers are moving into the area. We want answers from the police.”

Louw added that most of the affected households were headed by women, whose homes were often broken into during the night while they were sleeping.

Kagisho police station commander Colonel Michelle Ford said that they were unable to deploy a mobile police van to the area on a 24/7 basis or open a satellite office in Club 2000 due to not having enough manpower. 

“We understand the frustrations, but we can only send out the caravan to designated hot spots at certain times. There are a lot of issues and challenges that need to be taken into consideration,” she said.

Ford explained that she had been instructed to accept the petition on behalf of the district commissioner.

“I am not sure if she is out of Kimberley on official business,” she added.

Ford objected to the presence of the media at the community meeting and left early, saying she had not given permission for media coverage.