An evaluation of policing participation of communities in informal settlements in Mamelodi, Gauteng

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the participation of informal settlements residents in sector policing in Mamelodi East, situated in the CoT, this was used as the guiding study aim. Whereas, the objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To assess the nature of participation of informal settlements residents of Mamelodi East in sector policing, (2) To describe the participation of informal settlements residents of Mamelodi East in sector policing, (3) To offer successful implementation of sector policing in informal settlements in Mamelodi East, (4) To describe factors hindering participations of informal settlement residents of Mamelodi East in sector policing practices, and; (5) To offer recommendations on improvement of the participation of informal settlements in sector policing in the Mamelodi East. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological research design, aided by the evaluative research objective to achieve the stated study aim, objectives and a research question. The non-probability: Purposive sampling was employed to select Twelve (12) participants for this study. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews, supported by the review of documentary and literature studies, guided by the Interview Schedule Guide. The collected data was presented, analysed and discussed by means of the inductive TCA. This study shows that the residents of the informal settlements of Mamelodi East of CoT continue facing serious crimes which are reportedly affecting their daily lives and wellbeing largely, for example; crimes such as the assault with the intent to inflict Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), common assault, robbery with aggravating circumstances, malicious damage to property, and burglary at residential premises, as well as all theft not mentioned elsewhere, drug-related crime and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are some of the most prevalent crimes in the selected study locations. It is also revealed that this negatively dent the image of informal settlements, adding to their unfavourable living conditions and lack of service delivery. The local SAPS are doing all they can to ensure the safety and security of informal settlements residents, but they are facing an impossible mandate in this regard. The informal settlements in Mamelodi East passively get involved in sector policing commitments. The implementation processes of sector policing, as well as training of informal settlements residents and SAPS officials on the importance of sector policing remain a worrying factor in the selected study locations. Moreover, the lack of support from the SAPS Provincial Office, resources to implement sector policing objectives, unintended consequences of sector policing, mobilisation of informal settlements in Mamelodi East and unclear selection requirements of sector managers. It is recommended that the SAPS management and informal settlements residents should realise that the implementation of sector policing is not the sole responsibility of crime prevention units, but all the components should get involved in the process to ensure its success. The SAPS members, including former SAPS member who was part of the sector policing should act as sector policing experts, working closely with the implementation committee, Visible Policing (VISPOL) officials, communication officers, relief commanders in charge of members doing patrol duties and attending to complaints in the sectors and SAPS sector commanders, as well as the informal settlements leaders should get involved to ensure that a trust relationship between them through the application of the inter-sector collaboration initiatives and the affected settlements be urgently restored. The sector policing be established and to be promoted with the mandate of attempting to accomplish the SAPS objectives and keeping the selected settlements safe, with the help of the crime intelligence unit at the police station level, by rendering support services in accordance with the needs specified by different sectors where informal settlements are situated and their respective performance indicators should reflect the key performance indicators of sector policing, coupled with clear coordination, consultation, resources and training priorities to effectively implement sector policing in the Mamelodi East police station.