Cllr Thapelo Amad, the Executive Mayor, and Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, joined Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at a Ministerial Imbizo to combat crime and gangsterism in Westbury. Cele and Lesufi were accompanied by Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, senior members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province, and the leadership of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

The recent rise in gang criminality that has engulfed the area on Joburg’s west rand is what influenced government leaders to hold the public consultation.

Hundreds of residents responded to the call to gather at the Westbury Community Centre to urge the municipality, Cele, and law enforcement officials to act against the increased use of gun violence and drug peddling.

The community bemoaned to government officials that their lives were in danger.

One of the parents who lost a child to gun violence complained to the police minister that the gun violence in Westbury was the result of the incompetence of law enforcement officials who were allegedly in cahoots with criminals.

Melissa Davids begged Cele to intervene in schools because acts of violence on school grounds had affected teachers, students, and parents.

Young people in the community expressed concern that the government had neglected them. They urged elected officials to invest in their community. “The government does not support us. Young people are turning to drugs for entertainment,” a Westbury High School student lamented.

Speaker after speaker representing the community moved the police minister with their concern. Cele said no one should be subjected to a life in which they do not have the freedom to move at any time due to gangsterism.

“It hurts to hear women and young children say they are afraid to leave their homes,” he said, emphasising that something was wrong in Westbury and that he would use force to restore peace and harmony in the community.

The minister stated that the notorious police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT), dubbed Amaberete, will form part of the policing teams in Westbury to reduce gang violence in the area, which has become normalised.

He promised that corrupt cops would be dealt with harshly. “We are going to send Secretariat and IPID to deal with corrupt police officers.” The minister said he will send detectives to solve all outstanding cases.

“I want to assure you that the government in this province that I have the honour to lead has identified crime as the number one enemy,” Lesufi said. He noted that all available resources would be used to track down and imprison criminals so that communities could live in peace.

Lesufi told the community his government was no longer about words but about actions.

The Executive Mayor promised that under his watch, crime would not flourish only in Region B, but throughout Johannesburg.

Cele said with the community’s help, crime would be eradicated in Westbury.