The Makhado SAPS welcomed Brig Alex Seopa into their corps as the new cluster commander.

Brig Seopa met with various media institutions in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) this Tuesday. During the meeting, he gave a slight glimpse of all his plans to curb crime in the cluster. Some of the stations that fall under the Makhado cluster include, among others, Waterval, Bandelierkop, Tshitale and Levubu.

Seopa joined the police force in 1979 and served at different stations as station or cluster commander. In 1991, he became the first black station commander of the Polokwane SAPS. He was also the station commander of Gilead, Motetema and Sekhukhune and the deputy area commissioner of the Capricorn district.

Seopa, who reported for duty a week ago, has already started strategizing. He also said that the Makhado police seemed to be working hard, but that there was room for improvement. “Lazy or corrupt policemen will be dealt with internally,” he said. Seopa further added that he had an open-door policy when it came to complaints, and through this he wanted to establish and maintain a lasting relationship with the community that he served. “By cleaning house, we will gain the community’s trust and so change the picture.”

“Crime cannot be dealt with in isolation” – is another motto of Seopa's. Some future plans include the incorporation of various community anti-crime forums, such as the pastors’ forum and the Soutpansberg Town Watch, as well as the establishment of neighbourhood watch committees and a “tekkie” squad.

This, says Seopa, will go a long way in curbing crimes such as housebreaking, domestic violence and drug-related crimes. Furthermore, Seopa acknowledged the alarming increase in other violent crimes such as rape in the area, and gave his assurance that these would be reduced. “We are constantly working on strategies to address the crimes in the area,” said Seopa.