Today, 11 July 2022, Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele attended to the community of Nomzamo Park in Orlando East, Soweto following the tavern mass shooting at the Mdlalose Tavern this past weekend.
Residents of Nomzamo Park came out in numbers to listen to Cele as well as voice out their grievances to the minister.
The community members of Nomzamo claimed that there are bigger problems faced within the community and the Orlando Police officers are part of the problem. Crime, shootings and unsanitary resources are also part of the problem. They say they do not have electricity which is one of many reasons the police refuse to enter the community to attend to crime calls at night.
“When we report crimes at the Orlando Police Station, we are not taken seriously. If Shangaan is a language barrier for you or any language the officers don’t speak, you won’t get help. You need to then come back with someone to translate the language for you” says Nomzamo Park resident.
The community of Nomzamo have found alternative ways to protect themselves, neighborhood watch member claims that the work they do is no safe even for them. She says in most cases it is just women who patrol to protect their community from the worst.
Bheki Cele says the National Commissioner has promised to assist with five police vans which will help patrol the streets of Nomzamo Park. He continues to state that this will show visibility of safety in the community.
“I want us as the police force to saturate the streets of Nomzamo and not give criminals a chance to walk on these streets” says Cele.
Bheki Cele continues to address the community and announces that a group of police officers will be brought forth to work together with municipal officers. These police officers will patrol together in order and make sure the Nomzamo Park community is safe especially at night.
