The Cape Winelands district police commissioner, general Miriam Mochologi, recently met with Stellenbosch executive mayor Jeremy Fasser to discuss strengthening strategies to combat crime. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality.
This comes after an increase in petty and gang-related crimes in areas like Cloetesville that demands “urgent and decisive action from the South African Police Service (SAPS)”, according to a statement released by Stellenbosch Municipality on 6 August.
“On behalf of the communities we serve, the mayor made it clear that we are tired of meetings and talk – our residents are tired of living in fear,” read the municipal statement.
The Stellenbosch municipal hall, where the mayor’s office and the municipal council are housed. The meeting between Jeremy Fasser, executive mayor of Stellenbosch, and general Miriam Mochologi, the Cape Winelands district police commissioner, took place here. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Hlomla Mdala
The discussion was also attended by Anroux Marais, a member of the executive council (MEC) for police oversight and community safety in the Western Cape, and other law enforcement stakeholders, according to the statement.
“This first engagement was aimed at strengthening relationships, improving collaboration, and reaffirming our invitation for the South African Police Service to participate in the Stellenbosch safety partnership,” said Grobbelaar, in correspondence with SMF News.
The Stellenbosch safety partnership is a municipal initiative that unites public and private safety stakeholders, including private security companies, neighbourhood watches, community policing forums, and SAPS, said Grobbelaar.
Stellenbosch police station is located on 23 Du Toit Street in central Stellenbosch. “[The Stellenbosch safety] partnership is about collaboration and extending our full support to SAPS,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality. “We want them to take the lead, and we stand ready to assist wherever we can to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.” PHOTO: Hlomla Mdala
‘Above and beyond’
Although policing is a national mandate, the municipality has gone “above and beyond” to support SAPS, according to the statement.
“The primary role of our law enforcement department is to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in their constitutional mandate to fight crime, make arrests, and protect our communities,” said Grobbelaar.
Captain Natalie Martin, spokesperson for Stellenbosch SAPS, said that they are working with the municipality to reduce crime in Stellenbosch.
“We are strengthening our coordination with Stellenbosch Municipality by regular joint operations, intelligence sharing, patrol assistance, access to [the] municipality’s extensive CCTV network, and [a] 24-hour control room,” said Martin.
A Stellenbosch law enforcement mobile office parked in front of the municipal building. “The primary role of our law enforcement department is to support the South African Police Service in their constitutional mandate to fight crime, make arrests, and protect our communities,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality, in correspondence with SMF News. PHOTO: Hlomla Mdala
Morné Uys, group managing director at ABC Security, a local private security company, said that they are committed to the safety of Stellenbosch and that they value the collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“We remain committed to local crime prevention through the coordination with SAPS and municipal law enforcement,” said Uys. “[We] will continue to support efforts to make Stellenbosch a safer place for all.”