Hanover Park residents have given Philippi police 24 hours to come up with a plan to stabilise the area following ongoing gang fights and deaths.
On Thursday representatives of the Hanover Park Action Forum descended on the station saying they are gatvol of the slapgat service from “bang gat” cops.
They say that despite the deployment of the army, there has been no reduction in the murder rate, and claim “Kentucky cops” are in the pockets of drug merchants and gang bosses.
Colonel Dennis Abels signed a memorandum of demands. Picture: Monique Duval
Shortly after noon the group called for the station commander, Colonel Dennis Abels, to sign a memorandum of demands.
Forum representative, Edna Adams, 51, says since the launch of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), there’s been no visible policing.
“They want AGU to do their work, you don’t see any vans patrolling to prevent the shootings. The station is now 10 times worse than it was before and they don’t patrol without Metro [Police].”
She says since the deployment of former Vispol commander, Colonel Desmond Laing, to Grassy Park SAPS, there’s been an increase in complaints where police do not respond or take complaints seriously.
In addition, there’s a lack of feedback to families of victims, and a lack of searches at gang homes, she says.
“The other day I came to see Abels and he told me he wants that female captain from AGU to come bring his station right. I told him he is the father of this house, not AGU. Abels is really
disabled.”
Abels was not present but sent representatives to receive the memorandum.
monique.duval@inl.co.za