Elsies River welcomes satellite police station

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. Picture: Bongani Shilubane

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. Picture: Bongani Shilubane

Published May 25, 2017

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Elsies River residents expressed their gratitude at the opening of a new satellite police station, saying it would make a dent in the fight against crime in their community.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula officially opened the station fulfilling a promise made to the community during his second visit to Elsies River last week at the memorial of murdered three-year-old Courtney Pieters.

Speaking at the Adriaanse Community Centre, where Courtney's funeral was held last weekend and where the satellite station will now be located, Mbalula urged residents to work with police to fight crime.

“We are here to support and defend you.

"The relationship with this community is not going to die.

"There are many things that must be done in Elsies River to protect our youth from drugs and gangsterism.”

Mbalula said police heard the plight of the community, saying the one police station was not sufficient and police would work harder and “children will live better,” revealing that more police officers had been deployed to gang and crime-riddled areas.

“We will never abandon you. As for criminals we want them to know they will get their day. It will not be business as usual, it is business unusual.

“We are going to intensify our chase on criminals and getting rid of criminality.

"This is not a one-day event or weekend special,” he added.

Provincial police commissioner Khombinkosi Jula said the new satellite station should “not be a white elephant”.

Ward councillor Franchesca Walker referred to statistics indicating that 19 children had been killed in the Western Cape since January.

“No parent should bury their child.

"In recent weeks, this community was rattled by the death of Courtney, a mindless act of crime that no community should tolerate.

"I call on the community to report crime and take ownership of the community.”

She said the satellite station is “highly appreciated, but is of no use if the community do not play their part”.

Mbalula confirmed the satellite station was immediately operative.

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