SAPS conducts Imbizo

MAPELA – The Limpopo South African Police Services (SAPS) held an imbizo intended to intensify action against crime in the Waterberg District and to celebrate heritage Day at Mapela Sports Ground last Friday. The Limpopo police commissioner lieutenant general Neke Ledwaba, Mogalakwena Municipality mayor Adrina Matsemela and Mapela Traditional House headman Kgosi David Ledwaba were keynote speakers.

Deputy provincial commissioner in Limpopo Nonhlanhla Zulu, speaking on the behalf of the commissioner, said this Imbizo was an awareness to address a rifted mob justice and violent criminal activities that are increasing in the area. The police said the area has in the past months experienced mob violence related to mine protests and as well as killing of suspected criminals.

“We want to discourage mob justice in the area. People have now taken the law into their hands. We urge the community to raise concerns to the police directly and if they are dissatisfied with the realising of suspects, they must understand that the police’s duty is to arrest and the justice system handle the rest. Another in this area is cable theft since it’s next to the mines,” says Zulu. “We are again celebrating heritage day within the kingdom of Mapela, to maximise the police relationship with the community.”

Eskom marketing operations manager Doctor Tema said electricity theft is costing the country more than R4,4 billion per year. He said Eskom have strengthened a fight against electricity theft with a new campaign called Operation Khanyisa. “This is a national partnership campaign to fight electricity theft and related energy losses. Illegal connections is the biggest crisis in rural areas such Mapela. Electricity theft causes overloading of network, which finally leads to power cuts. This leads to things like loss of production and traffic jams,” says Tema.

Mayor Matsemela said mob justice in the area has mounted. Born and raised in Mapela, she highlighted that one of the biggest challenge in the area is to find a nearest police station. Mahwelereng Police Station is about 25 km away and Tynmine station is about 35 km making it difficult for the police to respond to calls.“We wish one day to hear that there has been a budget allocated to build a police station in the area. This area have a satellite station which deals precisely with paperwork. Building a station in this area means fighting crime instantly,” says Matsemela.

Kgosi David Langa while addressing the crowd said, criminal activities are condemned in the area. He encouraged the community work closely with the police, Community Policing Forum and Community Safety Forum to fight crime and identify perpetrators.

This ceremony was filled with entertainment from different cultural dances as part of celebrating Heritage Day.