Latest news with #BereaSAPS
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Berea SAPS officers honoured in commemoration of Men's Month
MALE members of the Berea SAPS swapped their blue regalia and boots for swag when they were recently honoured in commemoration of Men's Month for their contribution in fighting crime and restoring public order. The day was marked with gifts, motivational talks and celebration. The Station Commander, Colonel Hlengiwe Gcabashe, relayed her gratitude to her members for their dedication, saying the station management saw it fit to honour them during Men's Month. 'Police work is not always a walk in the park; our members are faced with challenges everyday but they work hard and produce impressive results. I always ask them to jump, they ask 'how high',' Gcabashe said. During the event, it surfaced that some police officers face personal and psychological challenges, preventing them from executing duties to the desired results. Motivational speaker Thomas Radebe highlighted that the rising number of police officers who murder their loved ones, and those who commit suicide, was alarming. He attributed this to lack of self-love, emphasising that men must learn to love themselves more than their jobs. Police medical aid representative, Kehilwe Phepheng, educated the men on the surging danger of chronic illnesses, some of which were self-inflicted. He advised them to exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet and conduct regular health screenings. Mental health was also addressed. It was underlined that the disease is creeping in among the personnel, and at times the devastation is not recognised. Police members were urged to keep an eye on mental health symptoms like low energy, excessive drinking and drug use, feeling hopeless, overeating, sleeping too much, shouting and fighting with family members, and suicidal thoughts. Although these symptoms appear 'normal' the men were advised to seek proper help before it's too late. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- The Citizen
Open communication to boost Berea SAPS crime-fighting efforts
KEEPING the lines of communication open is the key to combating crime in the Berea area. This was emphasised by Berea SAPS and Ward 31 councillor Remona Mckenzie following a community meeting at Durban High School recently. The Berea SAPS crime imbizo was attended by members of the community, Metro Police, Berea Community Police Forum and other crime-fighting structures. Berea SAPS spokesperson, Captain Poobalan Naidoo, said the aim of the meeting was to appraise the community about the station's crime fighting efforts. He said the community was addressed by the station commander, Colonel Hlengiwe Happiness Gcabashe, and other relevant roleplayers who assist in dealing with crime in the Berea policing precinct. 'The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the needs of the community and to find solutions,' said Naidoo who hailed the meeting a success. 'All relevant issues were discussed and solutions were found to address problems and crime that are being experienced in the area. The community was also informed that the withdrawing of cases by complainants will only be done in court,' said Naidoo. He added that the community was happy with how the station commander dealt with issues, and she encouraged the community to participate in the next imbizo in July. Aslo Read: Berea SAPS cracks down on crime Mckenzie expressed the same sentiment, 'Opening dialogue between police and the community strengthens relationships and encourages co-operation. 'These discussions help prioritise policing efforts based on community needs. SAPS public meetings are essential for fostering transparency, accountability, and community engagement in policing. This meeting provided updates on crime trends, safety measures, and strategies to combat criminal activities. We also advised the community of the importance of their involvement,' said Mckenzie. She encouraged the community to become more involved in crime-fighting and participate in public meetings to make their voices heard. 'It's important that the community attend these meetings; communities can actively shape local policing strategies and create safer neighbourhoods. SAPS use these meetings to report on their activities, ensuring they remain answerable or accountable to the public. The community must voice their concerns, suggest solutions, and collaborate with law enforcement to improve safety. The collaborative efforts within Ward 31 remain crucial in enhancing police visibility and fostering a safer environment for all residents,' said Mckenzie. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
