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The Newcastle Police Station has taken its licks over the years, with the Newcastillian – Online News holding the station accountable for various infractions and failures. This ranged from local prostitutes accusing police officers of raping them, to residents stressing that police officers showed little interest in assisting them during their time of need.
Duelling through the turmoil and persistent challenges, the Newcastle Police Station received a push in the right direction in November 2021, with the appointment of the no-nonsense station commander, Brigadier Leon Matthysen.
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From the get-go, Brigadier Matthysen stressed that he was determined to make a positive impact in the fight against crime. At the time of his appointment, he said that not only would police presence be enhanced, but that all allegations around police corruption would be investigated.
With Brigadier Matthysen determined to inject positivity into the Newcastle Police, addressing serious issues within the station and working on the streets with his officers, Newcastle slowly started noting a much-needed change within its policing and dare I say, improvement.
However, this all changed at the end of July 2022, after Brigadier Matthysen was transferred and relocated to the Durban area.
According to a police source, the move was political in nature. “Things just started coming right at the station, when the Brigadier was moved, it was all political. We were just told that we would be getting a new station commander, as Brigadier Matthysen was needed elsewhere,” the source explained.
Furthermore, the source stated that Brigadier Matthysen was one of the few station commanders who were willing to walk the streets with police officers during operations. “Not many station commanders would do that, but Brigadier Matthysen wanted to be hands-on and work with the officers and community.”
A second source agreed that the Brigadier’s transfer was political, highlighting that his presence will be missed.
With allegations surrounding Matthysen’s relocation being political, especially after he had only been in town for just over eight months, the Newcastillian – Online News sought answers.
KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile stressed that the move was not political at all. “The transfers and deployment of members is an internal matter, and there is nothing sinister as it is a regular occurrence.”
While Gwala did not elaborate further on the matter, a new station commander has been moved to Newcastle Police Station and he will apparently be introduced to the community in due course.
What are your thoughts on the above-mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
2 Responses
Must have stepped on the toes of the drug lords and their corrupt SAPS links.
This is the problem with our “undemocratic Police Service” they do not first consult the communities they serve.
Surely the public has the right to be a pivotal part of such positions deployment.
But we as the community allow this to happen.
Just like our Municipalities, political deployment happens with zero consultation and no regards for performance, from cadre deployees.
YOU GET WHAT YOU VOTED FOR!
Newcastle is going down the drain fast, nothing has improved only worsen, roads are terrible, service delivery is non-existant, sewerage overflowing all over town, there is rubbish all over the streets and fields.
Once a beautiful town now reduced to nothing.
We need a miracle, god help us all.