MUSINA – The new Police chief at Musina, Supt Mainganye Godfrey Nephawe, says it is his aim to bring Musina on par with service delivery in terms of improved service and the best possible management in terms of priority crimes.

Supt Nephawe idicated that offenses against women and children and farm attacks are high on the priority list.

"We intend to be active against offenses against women and children, especially in terms of the sixty days of activism announced earlier. We are also already engaged in a partnership policy of taking pro-active steps against farm attacks. The 210 farms in our area have been sectorised and are being registered individually in eight sectors, to be visited regularly."

Supt Nephawe said the police will deal immediately with the problems of crime on farms in the area. There has already been a meeting with members of the local farmers union, to reassure the farming community and to discuss a programme of action.

"We must start off together on the right foot, to ascertain what is the best course of action together with the farmers and the rest of the community, so that we can unite against crime."

All stakeholders will have the opportunity to take part in the planning of programmes. Within the ranks of his staff, the Batho Pele principles are in place and members are being activated to adhere to these principles.

He appealed to the community to come forward with information on crime and related problems, and gave the undertaking that all reported crime will be attended to. They should also report any malpractice or misbehaviour immediately.

Before his appointment in Musina, Supt Nephawe commanded the Crime Prevention Unit in Thohoyandou. He previously served as station commander at Mutale, Tsaulu and Siloam. In the previous dispensation, he served as Operational Commander in Sibasa (1985-1990) and earlier also served as Training Officer at Hammanskraal for the then Venda National Police Force.