Michael Nkalane
ACTING national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phahlane paid a surprise visit to the Nyanga police station yesterday “to see for himself” why and how the area had become the country’s murder capital.
At the end of last month, Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu admitted during Operation Crime Stopper the station was under-resourced, and promised to deploy more than 50 officers and police graduates. Earlier, Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko, Sotyu and State Security Minister David Mahlobo hosted an imbizo and listened to the concerns of the community regarding crime.
According to the latest crime statistics, the province recorded a 9.7 percent increase in murder, with 3 186 people killed between April 2014 and March this year.
The Nyanga police station recorded 300 murders. Even though the number was down by five from the previous high, it is still the highest in the country.
Attempted murder cases increased by 2.9 percent from 173 to 178.
Robbery with aggravating circumstances increased from 983 to 1 242. Common assault cases increased from 588 to 756.
Yesterday Phahlane’s spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said Phahlane had met with the station’s management and staff.
“The purpose of his visit was to ascertain how and why the area had come to be known as the murder capital. That is such an infamous title.
“That is why he met with the management and the staff.”
Mulaudzi said only then will an intervention strategy be decided upon. “He knows now why the area is a murder capital. He has firsthand information.
“The staff members told him everything. He will now decide how much resources and manpower will be needed to boost the station,” he said.
Mulaudzi said the visit forms part of Phahlane’s crime fighting strategic philosophy. “His mission is not to let crime get out of hand. That is why we are visiting notorious areas.”
He said Phahlane wanted to see if the police were still practising basics, like “listening attentively when responding to complaints”.
Station Commander Vuyisile Ncata hoped the visit would help reduce crime.
“Now that he knows our problems I hope he will intervene. I am hoping for positive results. I like the fact that he made an effort to pay us a visit,” he said.
Nyanga Community Policing Forum executive member Phumlani Mehlomakhulu echoed Ncata. “I hope we will finally experience a crime-free area. Such visits could achieve that. It is rare for a commissioner to visit Nyanga.
“Now that he knows what needs to be done he will know how much resources and police members need to be deployed,” he said.
@siyaks