HERBERTSDALE NEWS - With two police officers stationed at the Herbertsdale Satellite Police Station and the KwaNonqaba Police Station almost 50km away, the Herbertsdale community have said they feel largely forgotten by the SAPS.
These community members voiced their concerns when the Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO), Major General Oswald Reddy, the KwaNonqaba Police Station's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Virgie Julius, and Mossel Bay Municipality's chairperson of the Community Safety Committee, Cllor Leon van Dyk, met with them last Thursday evening, 12 February.
The townspeople called for their own fully-fledged police station with their own CPF, claiming that the area merely falling under the KwaNonqaba Police Station's jurisdiction does not work, as that station is too far removed, and that the criminal matters they report are often not taken seriously.
Mossel Bay Advertiser has previously reported on the lack of resources and manpower, and the challenges the KwaNonqaba Police Station faces.
The station has jurisdiction over the largest geographical area in the greater Mossel Bay area, and one that is the most densely populated.
The Advertiser also previously reported on how some of the KwaNonqaba detectives have up to 300 case dockets to investigate, when the national standard is between 65 and 70 dockets each.
Thursday's meeting started with an address by Julius, who relayed some crime statistics specific to the Herbertsdale area. The meeting was at its core an introduction and information session to the community by Reddy on the functions of the ombudsman.
Reddy also acknowledged that community trust in the police is very low overall and that "by my logic, it is impossible to have the KwaNonqaba Police managing four areas," - namely Herbertsdale, Vleesbaai, Dana Bay and the KwaNonqaba area itself.
Retired Major General Oswal Reddy speaks to the residents about the functions of the Western Cape Police Ombudsman. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Community members voice their concerns
It was during the question-and-answer section of the session that the residents had their say.
The first to speak was Alec Muller, a community member and former chairperson of the previous Herbertsdale CPF, who strongly feels that the situation can only be rectified by allowing Herbertsdale to have its own police station, separate from the KwaNonqaba one.
Before 2006, Herbertsdale had its own station and CPF; however, following a meeting with the Mossel Bay Police at the time, the Herbertsdale area was allocated to the KwaNonqaba Police Station.
Muller says before matters were rearranged, they were working well.
He also claims every time he goes to the Herbertsdale Satellite Police Station to open a case, no police official is present. "Eventually, you drop the case," he says.
Evert Janse van Rensburg says the distance between KwaNonqaba and Herbertsdale makes it impossible for the police to effectively respond to the community's needs.
Evert Janse van Rensburg tells the group that the distance between KwaNonqaba and Herbertsdale is too big for the police to effectively respond to the community. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
It takes about 30 minutes to travel between the two stations. When responding to a farm on the outskirts of Herbertsdale, an extra 30 minutes is added to the travelling time.
To reach Vleesbaai requires an additional 40 minutes of driving.
Van Rensburg also spoke of a previous incident in which his watch was stolen. He claims an officer informed him that he did not have a case and that his statement had not properly been recorded.
Janie Honiball says she has been waiting for a detective to arrive since she opened a case of theft in August.
She told the group the suspect had been arrested, but was released back into the community within the same day.
"We're already in a new year and I'm still waiting for a detective," she said.
Leon van Dyk addresses the Herbertsdale residents. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Gina Steyn, current chairperson of the Herbertsdale CPF, asked if the municipality could continue placing a traffic officer in the area, as it worked well during the December period when many people were getting into cars intoxicated and driving under the influence.
Police and municipality respond
At the end of the Q&A session, Reddy, Van Dyk and Julius addressed the residents and their various concerns.
Van Dyk stated that the Mossel Bay was constantly expanding and agreed that another police station was needed.
According to him, between 30 and 40 families settle in Mossel Bay every month. Because of the growing population, the police need to adapt as well, he said.
Van Dyk has also urged neighbourhood watches to register with the municipality in an effort to assist the police in addressing crime and safety in the Herbertsdale area.
He said one of his concerns was that in two years, the number of accredited neighbourhood watches had decreased from 43 to 15.
By registering with the municipality, advantages such as CCTV cameras, which are linked to Mossel Bay's Joint Operations Centre, can be made available to neighbourhood watches and the areas they serve.
"From the [municipal] council's side, there is a commitment," said Van Dyk. "But we cannot do it alone."
KwaNonqaba Police Station’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Virgie Julius, assures the residents they are working to try and improve the current situation. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Reddy told the community that when a police station or other SAPS contact point is established, a station commander, such as Julius, has little to no say over those processes.
His advice to the Herbertsdale residents was to complete an official form of the WCPO, detailing their complaints, which will then be independently investigated by the ombudsman.
"We expect the police to do their job. When they don't, there must be accountability," he said.
Based on the outcome of the investigation, the ombudsman may then make a recommendation to establish an additional police station.
Julius stated that a specific need for more police members to be stationed at the Herbertsdale Satellite Police Station has been communicated.
By 1 March, he said, three members shall have been allocated to it.
However, he admitted that the biggest challenge is still the lack of available resources.
He told the community that despite this challenge, he would personally address each of their complaints in his police station, especially poor statement taking, and also encouraged the residents to contact him directly should they need any assistance.
"If you don't receive the service you deserve, send me a message or call my official number. We will follow up on cases and complaints," he said.
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