Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
After years of reporting on various wrongs committed by the police and fielding some profoundly troubling stories concerning injustice or poor treatment, our editor sat down with Brigadier Leon Matthysen to discuss this compilation of issues.
Allegations include cops collaborating with drug dealers, raping prostitutes, and even ignoring locals being robbed alongside the road in the CBD.
As the SAPS is mandated to protect its constituents, the question now is how the Newcastle police intend to improve the station’s image, re-instilling faith in residents?
After presenting the list of allegations against Newcastle SAPS, Brigadier Leon Matthysen, Station Commander for Newcastle Police, explains that the claims brought against the police officials are serious. Further assuring that guilty police officers will be fired and/or imprisoned.
The allegations presented to the Brigadier by the Newcastillian – Online News:
Firstly, certain police are raping prostitutes. They use their title to protect themselves. Prostitutes have stated that the police force the women to have sex with them, going as far as to film the crime.
According to one sex worker, the police officers then threaten to post the videos on social media.
Additionally, the prostitutes claim they remain silent as they are afraid police officers will carry out their threats because their work is mainly illegal, and their families are unaware of what they do.
In response, the Brigadier states, “We need to look at setting up a sting operation to address this matter.” Once the operation is completed and the guilty parties are apprehended, we will let you know.
Another issue facing the SAPS includes allegations that police officers do not communicate with victims after a crime is reported.
Overall, the perception of the police is that “they have a negative impact on a crime scene”. Therefore, people are choosing not to report crimes, according to a source from a local security company. This, simply because they do not believe the SAPS will conduct a thorough investigation.
“People must file a case.” According to Brigadier Matthysen, this significantly impacts crime trends, which many people are unaware of. “We won’t be able to see where the problems are, enforce visible policing, or allocate police officers to specific crime trends.”
Taking people’s lack of faith and the allegations into account, Brigadier Matthysen believes that two major issues can be addressed by the community stepping up to the plate.
“This is the only way to evaluate us to see if we are making empty promises. If people do not come forward, to report crime and offending police officers, members who are not providing the proper service will simply continue with their actions. Especially if they know they are not being reported.”
Through an official complaint, the following can be achieved:
- The issues can be investigated.
- The police members can be identified.
- The necessary action can then be taken if there is a lack of feedback from investigating officers or an offence committed by law enforcement is presented.
However, Brigadier Matthysen states that an increased workforce is necessary to combat crime as police numbers are low. But with what they currently have, the Station Commander says that the SAPS would like to enforce smaller, more manageable sectors throughout Newcastle.
Furthermore, Brigadier Matthysen emphasises that the State has implemented an initiative that has the potential to improve the relationship between the community and its police.
The SAPS’s Community in Blue initiative aims to elevate all Community Policing Forums (CPF) to the level of the law, with close vetting and training of all CPF members to ensure high standards of protocol and action.
This involves members of the public participating in SAPS operations, actively fighting crime, and providing the SAPS with the necessary human resources.
Moreover, theft is a considerable, growing concern in Newcastle.
- Housebreakings – both business and residential
- Theft of gate motors
- Robberies
- Theft from motor vehicles
- Theft of pipes
According to Brigadier Matthysen, the Newcastle police will be conducting programs targeting scrapyards and secondhand dealers. Thus, criminals will be unable to sell their stolen goods.
However, as pointed out by the Brigadier and placing some responsibility back on people, Assault and Gender-Based Violence are problematic crimes in Newcastle. Residents need to come forward and report these crimes.
The following areas are the most challenging:
- The CBD – Below Scott Street
- Siyahlahla-la/Fairleigh
- Riverside Industrial
As pointed out by the Brigadier, the most common times for these crimes is between 2 am and 9 am, with alcohol playing a significant part.
In conclusion, he reminds people that they must come forward to keep seeing the wheels of justice turn.
“We are urging that people come forward with their allegations. At the moment, we are busy upgrading our service delivery plan, which includes the installation of a suggestion box. This will allow people to leave their reports anonymously and we can then investigate the matter.”
Only the police management will have access to the suggestion box’s keys, ensuring all complaints and input can be monitored without being tampered with.
While the Newcastle SAPS is now ready to create a more positive version of itself, inviting the community to become involved, what are your thoughts?
Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 1
My husband got scammed on Friday night. Someone pretending to be MTN fraud division. At the end of a long story we lost R100. An affordable amount. He insisted on going to report it on Saturday morning to the SAPS. he already reported it to MTN. I was conflicted. I know the police have more important crimes to deal with but I believe it is not the amount but the principle that matters. When he got to the charge office he could see the officers were busy so he settled to wait. Another member of the public came in and threw a tantrum about being helped immediately. The officers there were very calm and polite to him. They then assisted my husband and even surprised him with their enthusiasm. Sunday morning he hit the sms with his case number. I was happily proven wrong. Big thumbs up to our SAPS.