January 19, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
HUNDREDS of members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) swarmed through the streets of Hillbrow on Saturday 17 January, not on a crime-prevention operation, but to thank residents for contributing to one of the most peaceful New Year celebrations in the inner city in many years.
Hillbrow has a reputation of being a no-go area on Old Year's Eve, with many revellers bringing in the New Year by throwing bottles and even old furniture from the tops of the high-rise buildings.
This year was somewhat different, with fewer incidents and arrests than in past years. "Today we celebrate a victory," said SAPS area commissioner Oswald Reddy. "I would like to acknowledge the community for their support. Councillors played a major role in fighting crime, as did the many other role players - the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), the Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the red ants."
Saturday's parade, lead by members of the metro police department, was dedicated to the Hillbrow, Berea and Joubert Park residents. The march started at the Hillbrow Police Station, through Kotze Street, continued down Pretoria Street and stopped at the High Point Centre. There two Johannesburg councillors, Sol Cowan and William Ntsanwisi, and police commissioners addressed the crowd before the marchers returned to the Hillbrow Police Station.
High Point Centre had a festive air, with residents jiving to the music of the police band.
"The parade says it all," said mayoral committee member Cowan. "We want to thank the community for their cooperation."
Hillbrow had a reputation that needed to be changed, he added: "We've had many years of violence where people throw their furniture on to the streets. We want to have peaceful New Year celebrations on the streets of Hillbrow."
New year celebrations this year saw security force personnel out in full force in the inner city districts. Hundreds of police officers, including the national commissioner of SAPS Jackie Selebe, metro police officers, members of the SA National Defence Force, employees from the City's waste management utility Pikitup and representatives from the inner city regeneration initiatives made sure that the streets of Hillbrow, Berea and Joubert Park remained relatively crime-free.
Roadblocks were set up at major intersections and pub owners were requested to close their pubs at 5pm.
Police statistics for the New Year period indicated that 20 people were arrested for drunk driving, one for possession of an illegal firearm, two for alleged rape and two for alleged assault.
People who were caught throwing goods from buildings were forced to clean up. "You throw it out, we make you pick it up," said SAPS provincial commissioner Perumal Naidoo.
On Saturday Cowan reiterated the City's zero tolerance approach to crime and warned troublemakers that "wherever criminals are hiding we'll find them and those buildings they use to hide in - we'll close them down".
"Wena thatha machance wena ngena phakathi (If you take a chance, we will arrest you)," said Commissioner Naidoo.
Chief of the metro police, Chris Ngcobo, thanked residents for their cooperation. "We have to win the war against crime and we can't win it without the support of the community," he said, while Commissioner Reddy said that if criminals were isolated they would have nowhere to run.
"In five years time we want to have an ever-smiling Hillbrow. People call it 'the place of hell', but that will soon change," said ward 64 councillor, William Ntsanwisi. "We want to celebrate 10 years of democracy peacefully," he added.
A carnival is being planned for Hillbrow for Heritage Day on 24 September.
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