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- Police Minister Bheki Cele launched a campaign to prepare for the holiday season in Bellville.
- He called on the police to make life miserable for criminals this holiday season. He also asked them to enforce Covid-19.
- Cele said that some 18,000 police officers had been infected, while osee 270 members had died from Covid-19.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Cape Town’s Bellville taxi rank on Thursday morning, where he launched the holiday season readiness campaign ahead of the holidays.
Cele spoke with the public, taxi drivers, and informal merchants in the commuter center.
Cele addressed the police officers during the launch.
“When the public sees us, they should run to us. When they see us, they should say ‘thank God, here are our redeemers,'” he said.
Other top priorities on the list include stopping gender-based violence and creating a safe environment for women.
“Please be there for them. Please hear their screams … For whatever reason, our women are being attacked,” Cele said.
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The minister urged officers to enforce Covid-19 as they patrolled as the country experienced a second wave of infections.
Police officers addressed by Bheki Cele.
“More than 270 members have died and 18,000 infected. So take care of yourself as you take care of the community,” he said.
Cele also called for the police to make the lives of criminals miserable while enforcing the law during the holiday season.
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“Where is your mask? If we see you without a mask, we will lock you up from December 15 to January 15,” he joked as he wandered through the crowd.
The crowd followed the minister as he made his way through the taxi rank and the bus terminal.
Shannon September told News24 that she was happy to see the minister.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the Bellville taxi rank in Cape Town on Thursday morning.
“I am very proud of him for coming here. Now he can see what is going on here,” she said.
September, who lives in Bellville, said she hopes police can be more alert and active during the holiday season.
Phatheka Zwakala was excited when Cele stopped to chat with her.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m glad there are so many police around. There is always chaos here in this place,” he said.
The Bellville taxi rank has been closed multiple times this year due to incidents of alleged taxi violence.
Zwakala said his conversation with the minister gave hope that the streets will be safer during the holiday season.
