There is something special about 18:00 in the South African Police Service. A police officer serving in the frontline will relate to this. It simply means, I am operationally ready to serve and protect the people of my country.
On our arrival at Ezibeleni SAPS yesterday evening, 05 March 2021 at 18:00, Sergeant Bongiwe Hokwana concluded her evening parade to report on duty making sure that her evening shift members are operationally ready.
Members were posted on duty according to the SAPS 15 register with the relevant resources for patrol duties, enforcing law and order in her policing precinct.
Ezibeleni SAPS is located 5km’s outside Queenstown and is the largest township in the Chris Hani District comprising of approximately 30,113 of total population as per 2011 census statistics.
The reason of the visit by the Provincial Office personnel including Vispol, Corporate Communications and the Junior Management Core, formed part of the month long back to basics concept.
Frontline officers working at this policing area are dealing daily with crimes such as domestic violence, alcohol abuse and common robbery cases more than anything else.
As members of the SAPS face different challenges during their operations, members also have good stories to tell about their job and community that they serve.
During our interview with the relief commander of relief B, Sergeant Bongiwe Hokwana, she had this to say in painting the picture of their daily lives as police officers at Ezibeleni SAPS.
“Intensive crimes that we police include common robbery, domestic violence and alcohol abuse because of other social ills that are contributing to this behaviour. However, we are able to make arrests and detain suspects swiftly because we have active informers” said the experienced 35-year-old Sgt Hokwana who started his police career back in 2005.
The interview really gave an insight on the tasks these members are executing when they report for duty.
On a positive note, the station prides itself of a good relationship they have with community members which helps them to make their job easier.
An opportunity was given to Sgt Nomawethu Martins, a Provincial Domestic Violence Coordinator and Sgt Xhanti Mjikeliso, a Provincial Youth Crime Prevention to present to members about important issues relating to Domestic Violence and Social Crime Prevention.
To fast track service delivery, the visiting members were also hands on deck to assist civilians who came to the Community Service Centre.
Concerns and challenges mentioned were noted by officers who formed part of the station visit and will be reported to management for further handling and support to our members on the ground.
The members are commended for their sterling job that they continuously do in serving our communities tirelessly.
Provincial office personnel continued to Mlungisi SAPS for another station visit before they concluded their program for the day