Cape Town - The Free State’s Thabong South African Police Services announced on Tuesday the arrival of its new junior station managers who would assist them in reaching out to youth in the area.
Thabo Rathaba, 14, was appointed Junior Station Commander. His deputy is 17-year-old Thembi Mthonjeni and 16-year-old Thabiso Mabaso was appointed Junior Detective Commander as part of Thabong SAPS’ Junior Station Commander Programme.
The programme began three years ago and seeks to better influence youth by making use of their peers.
Sergeant Elsie Tselane, the Thabong SAPS Youth Coordinator, said the programme - now in its second phase - and the previous participants had had a positive impact on youth.
“They addressed their peers during morning parades at their respective schools where they discouraged them from being in conflict with the law,” Tselane explained.
“They were therefore mainly active at their schools but were also helping us engage with young gang members who are out of school,” she said.
The new programme participants, Rathaba, Mthonjeni, and Mabaso, met with the outgoing team on August 13, during a meeting with the entire Thabong SAPS management team. Officially, the previous participants would continue serving in their positions until December.
One of the previous participants, Neo Setai, thanked Thabong SAPS management for what he called an opportunity of a lifetime: “I thank the police for an opportunity to explore certain skills which enabled us to become better persons.”
ANA