New appointments in police
POLICE members had to ask themselves if their communities were safe every time they wore their uniforms while community members and churches had a role to play in the policing of their areas, newly appointed Queenstown cluster commander Brigadier Phumla Mavuka said in her inaugural speech on Tuesday.
Mavuka was born in Mthwakazi, Whittlesea and has been in the police service for 33 years. She said she expected people to get “100% service” at police stations.
“We need to have safe places at stations to interview victims of crimes against women and children. I am passionate about working with communities. I want each station to be ‘adopted’ by the churches in its area. Members need emotional and spiritual support to withstand the challenges we face.”
The purpose of policing was to create a safe and secure environment for citizens and the police needed the co-operation of the business fraternity, councillors and traditional leaders.
“If we do not acknowledge community partnership in our job, we will miss the boat. We need members who comply with instructions. Each member must have a pocket copy of the code of conduct.”
Other appointments were Ezibeleni station commander lieutenant colonel Bekekile Waka and new head of the family violence, child protection and sexual assault unit, major Melody Oranje. Waka joined the police in 1993 at Ilinge and was station commander in Sterkstroom. He said he was honoured to serve Ezibeleni and regarded police visibility as important. “The area is not riddled with criminal elements, just opportunistic criminals. I ask the community to work with us to address the challenges.”
Oranje said it had always been her dream to go back to where she started in the 90s. In her 27 years’ service, she had been a captain in detective units. “Cases are emotional. You have to deal with your emotions or you will become a victim. You must be close to God. I love working with women and children.”
Former acting Queenstown cluster commander and station commander colonel Mzoli Kopolo said Mavuka was not looking to be popular. Commanders would support and work with her.