National commissioner of police, General Fannie Masemola has urged the police not to turn community members away who come to police stations to open cases.
Masemola made the remark at the opening ceremony of two newly-built police stations in Limpopo yesterday.
Masemola opened the newly constructed Muyexe and Bolobedu police stations, in the Mopani district, which are intended to enhance law enforcement presence in areas with high crime rates.
He was flanked by Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant general Thembi Hadebe, Limpopo MEC of Transport and Community Safety Florence Radzilani, and other senior officials.
Addressing the crowd, Masemola urged the men and women in blue to eradicate crime in the areas and to never turn away community members who wish to file cases, emphasising that it is their right to do so.
“The members of the community must at all times be afforded the chance to open cases and never be turned away to solve their issues at home. Our duty is to open cases and ensure they are thoroughly investigated,” he said.
“Our mandate is to ensure that we provide services to you (residents), prevent, combat and investigate crime, and maintain public order and ensure that we protect all the citizens and their properties.”
Additionally, Radzilani said that both police stations will enhance efforts to combat gender-based violence and child abuse.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the two police stations will aid in combating common crimes that are high in the areas.
“The establishment of the facilities is aimed at reducing prevalent crimes such as sexual assaults and rapes, house break-ins and robberies, among others,” he said.
Mashaba added that the new police stations are part of the government's commitment to enhance safety and security in communities and provide policing services in high-density areas.
“These state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with modern infrastructure and technology, aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police services.”
He said that community members can look forward to more boots on the ground, and quicker response times to incidents and a safer environment.
IOL