Melikhaya Zagagana and Ntuthuzelo Nene3 May 2024 | 17:40

Paarl community claims terror at the hand of criminals in police uniform

Hundreds of people filled the Mbekweni community hall to share their pain with the police.

Paarl community claims terror at the hand of criminals in police uniform

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale together with the management of the South African Police Services engaged with community members during a crime prevention Imbizo in Mbekweni, in Paarl on 3 May 2024. Picture: @SAPoliceService/X.

CAPE TOWN - The community of Mbekweni in Paarl has told the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, that they are being terrorised by criminals in police uniforms.

The community engaged police top brass on Friday, during an imbizo hosted at the local community hall.

The gathering was organised to allow residents to air their frustrations to find solutions.

Hundreds of people filled the Mbekweni community hall to share their pain with the police.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Tembisile Phathekile was also present.

Residents say they no longer trust police officials in their uniforms.

According to the Community Policing Forum chairperson, Henry Jacobs, the community is reporting its crime grievances to a vigilante group formed in the area.

“Robbery is the main thing... Since now, today people are receiving their SASSA grant and all that stuff. The people are being robbed. Here we have a Shoprite centre and ATM scammers are hanging around, and they rob people of their money.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale has encouraged the community to trust the police and not break the law further by asking vigilantes to solve their problems.

Mathale says strides are being made to root out corruption within the South African Police Service.

He has urged community members not to hesitate to report corrupt police officers to the police watchdog the IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate).

"The executive director came here and said IPID is the police of the police, and I know that if I see a police person doing a wrong thing or being involved in criminal activities, I can anonymously report to a toll-free number of IPID. I know I can do that, and I will be safe."

Mathale says the police should not be the enemy of communities.

"The station commander of Mbekweni is not a station commander that must come and command the community of Mbekweni. He must work with the community, and the community must become the eyes and ears of the police."