Police outline obstacles to fighting crime in Diepsloot

As residents of Dieplsoot demand more police presence in their crime-stricken community, Johannesburg district commissioner, Max Masha, says overgrown vegetation, inaccessible roads and poor lighting are some of the obstacles to adequate policing in the area.

The provincial police top brass addressed the community on initiatives to curb crime in one of Gauteng’s worst affected areas yesterday.

Speaking at the briefing, Masha elaborated on the challenges police face.

The district commisioner added that the influx of illegal immigrants in Diepsloot is one of the concerns raised by community members.

He’s called for tighter border control to curb the high number of undocumented immigrants coming into the country.

Residents of Diepsloot took to the streets in June, demanding urgent police intervention following the death of community crime-fighter, John Makola. 

The beloved community crime-fighter and community policing forum chairperson was killed just a few kilometres from his home while responding to a late-night shop robbery. 

It’s understood the shop owner called Makola in a panic. In his attempt to intervene, Makola was shot as gunmen allegedly made off with R20 000 and some groceries. 

Despite months of outrage, community members say little is being done to address crime in the neighbourhood. 

Earlier this month, seven young men were set alight and killed in an alleged mob-justice attack.