Crimefighters in Strandfontein have called for their police station commander to be removed amid complaints over his “bad management style”.
On Friday more than 50 people protested outside Strandfontein Police Station calling for top cop, Captain David Malong, to be removed.
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, Sandy Schuter, says patrollers are gatvol of Malong who allegedly intimidates staff and refuses to work with community organisations.
She says the CPF has been barred from conducting oversight visits at the station and most recently were locked out of their office there.
Schuter says despite meetings and complaints being lodged with senior police officers no corrective steps have been taken.
“We are calling for the removal of the station commander for the refusal of working with the community safety structures.
“He has broken down the block watches and street committees by causing division between the CPF and structures.
“The residents feel unhappy with the crime in Strandfontein.
“For the year of 2018 we have had 10 murders and not a single engagement from the station commander with the community about what their plan is to deal with the gang violence.”
According to a resignation letter by a sergeant who has been an officer for 21 years, he left the station after allegedly being victimised by Malong.
“How can everyone have a problem with one person? We have raised this since 2017 and absolutely nothing has been done,” said Schuter.
Malong declined to comment yesterday while the CPF says they have been called a meeting with senior police officers on Tuesday after their memorandum was accepted.