So much for police service delivery
I AM writing this letter as I have experienced a great deal of disappointment, dissatisfaction and poor service delivery from the police at local, provincial and national level.
On July 28, two weeks before my youngest son’s 20th birthday, he was killed in a gang-related incident.
The only comfort we, as his parents, had was that he died that night as a hero, saving innocent and not-so innocent people.
From then onwards, we couldn’t get proper closure because of the fact that the Department of Police dragged its feet and abdicated its Constitutional obligation which is to serve the people.
I tried to communicate with the department in many ways and was left traumatised, time and again.
The community held a march, collected a petition and drew up a memorandum with a set of demands.
Brigadier Mmagauta Letsoalo, from the Mitchells Plain cluster, was send to collect the petition and memorandum.
A meeting was arranged with the Lentegeur station commander and his staff who wanted more information.
A couple of weeks after that, they came to a street meeting to report back.
I was hugely disappointed that it turned into a general meeting and did not address the memorandum.
Seeing the police failed me, I then send a plea for help to Provincial Police Commissioner LieutenantGeneral Khombinkosi Jula on October 6.
On the same day, I saw he forwarded it to a Major-General Hendrik Burger and Major-General Jeremy Vearey to respond in 7 days.
Mr JN Jacobs also acknowledged the letter.
After a lengthy delay, on October 18, Crystal Damons, Veary’s personal assistant, sent an email to Captain Combrinck. On October 24, Captain Williams send an email to Captain Sutherland, each one taking days to pass it on. Please note that by then the 7 days were long gone.
More emails followed; there are too many departments to mention.
On October 27, I sent an email to express my dissatisfaction that not one of the demands in the memorandum was met.
On November 1, I sent an email to all roleplayers asking for Police Minister Bheki Cele’s contact details.
On November 5, I emailed the national police commissioner and his deputy.
On November 5, Darane Philander emailed a Mr Mubiana who then send it on to Sharon Gaehler, Chamane SW, V Dlaku, R Serero, L Mbangwa and D Mkono.
On November 11, I yet again expressed my disappointment, this time with the national police.
On the same day, I decided to seek relief from Minister Cele as well as his office (Sally de Beer, a Ksitole and a Mr Selepe).
My complaint was referred back to the provincial commissioner who mandated a Mr Cele.
More than a month after lodging the complaint, I received an email that the case was provisionally withdrawn. I knew that from Day 1.
And the officer cannot turn up for an agreed-upon appointment set up weeks ago.
To make matters worse, Minister Cele didn’t tender an apology. So much for service delivery! This leaves me, as a grieving father, disappointed.
Recently, a well-known advocate was assassinated (condolences to his family) and the suspects were caught within two days.
There are so many examples of selective justice, justice according to status and how much you can contribute towards the economy.
Mine is not the only case. I know of other grieving fathers who are looking for answers.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
C BASSON