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On Thursday, 7 April 2022, Amajuba District SAPS introduced its new District Commissioner, General Fred Alexander.
During the media briefing, General Alexander explained that he felt society needed to know who was at the helm of the Amajuba District SAPS after being appointed to the position on 1 April 2022.
Growing up in Newcastle, his career in the SAPS started 34 years ago. “I began my schooling career at Chelmsford Combined School, before going to high school at St Oswalds Secondary School, and then matriculating at Lincoln Heights Secondary School.”
While working in Cape Town for a brief period, General Alexander found himself returning to his hometown. A devoted husband and father of five, the new District Commissioner claims he has extensive plans for local law enforcement.
“I know this community well, both as a child who grew up in the town and a police officer who had to uphold the law,” he says.
With this said and officially taking the reigns of the Amajuba District as of the start of April, the General stresses that he is determined to ensure that local police uphold the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
However, as several residents have lost a substantial amount of respect for the police, the District Commissioner has his work cut out. With this said, “We will be going back to basics to improve the stature of the police, ensuring our members are as professional as possible.”
This means that police will now be focusing on the following to improve their service delivery:
- Executing investigations of information received from community members.
- Proving feedback to community members who have opened a case.
- Improve response time.
- Treat people with respect.
- Ensure that services provided at local police stations run smoother.
- Improving police officers’ phone etiquette.
“There will also be follow-up calls to people by commanders to ensure the services received at stations was satisfactory or not. This will help ensure where we can improve, while doing our best to respond to issues appropriately and promptly,” said the District Commissioner.
He explains that all of this will positively impact the outlook of the SAPS while maintaining law and order in the area.
While determined to ensure people regain trust in the SAPS, General Alexander highlights that he also wants to see a positive change in the attitude of local police officers.
“Officers need to understand that people come to us because they need help, which we are there to provide.”
Additionally, the District Commissioner intends to wage war on the illicit drug trade.
On the subject, recently, the Newcastillian – Online News highlighted that children as young as 13 are using crystal meth and cocaine, among other illicit narcotics, according to a local survey.
Conducted by Ithemba Security, the survey illustrates that drug use has rocketed, being the most significant problem faced by Newcastle over the past three years.
Moreover, obtaining these illicit products has become a simple task for the youth, with 54 dealers and around 200 so-called runners identified in Newcastle and its surrounding areas.
To read the full article, click here.
“Drugs keep popping up, and we will be looking closely at information coming from the community while setting up operations in town,” states General Alexander.
Responding to allegations that specific police officers tip off drug dealers, the District Commissioner said he planned to approach the Durban Drug Unit to ensure the problem was carried out effectively.
Concluding, General Alexander said that he hopes he can bring about much-needed positive change in the district.
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As long as these SAP and traffic officers know and remember that they are PUBLIC SERVANTS and that THEY WORK FOR US the citizens, we are the tax payers who pay there salaries and they must do their duties that they are paid to do.
let hope he also deals with gange crime in surrounding location from emadadeni to Osizweni this crime are affect our business daily and I cannot leave out illegal immigrants action must be taken sooner because we don’t another July unrest