9 October 2013
The O’Regan/Pikoli Commision of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha is to go ahead after a Constitutional Court ruling last week. GroundUp went to the streets of Khayelitsha to gauge people’s reaction to the ruling.
Mthetheleli Hantibi - Jordan Circle, E Section, Khayelitsha. “I didn’t know about the commission until now .It is going to benefit us residents in terms of safety because honestly we don’t feel safe in our neighbourhood and in our own homes. I am not putting the blame on the police, they are human and they are doing their jobs to the best of their ability.”
Mashiya Mashiya - Litha Park, Bikwe Crescent, Khayelitsha. “I know about the commission of inquiry and I believe that it is a positive move. The police are not doing their work, but how can they, when they are not even trained. They can’t even fill in a form and to think that for us to be safe we have to rely on them. I am an ANC member and I believe this will have a positive impact and the community will benefit mainly in terms of safety.”
Noluthando Dlanga - Thulani Street, A Section, Khayelitsha. “I was clueless about the commission. Now that I know about it I think it will push the police to actually do their job. I stay close to the police station, even that is not a benefit. You call the police station and it takes them three to four hours to come if they do come at all.”
Bongiwe Ngqaqu - Zakhele Street, A Section, Khayelitsha. “I had no knowledge about the commission whatsoever. I think it’s going to improve policing in the area because right now the service delivery is very poor and maybe it will make the police regain our trust.”
Ben Biko - Litha Park, Oliver Thambo, Khayelitsha. “A friend of mine told me about the commission and I think there should be campaigns to tell the entire neighbourhood about it. It’s a very positive move and is probably going to make the people regain faith and confidence in the police because right now the community has lost all faith in the police. They don’t care, are never on time or don’t even show up.”
Learn more about the Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha.