Mitchell’s Plain Cluster Commander Major-General Gregory Goss, head of the eight police stations which make up the cluster – Mitchell’s Plain, Lentegeur, Strandfontein, Athlone, Grassy Park, Philippi, Steenberg and Lansdowne -started his retirement on Monday January 1.
Deputy cluster commander Brigadier Mmagauta Letsoalo, who has served the police for 32 years and had previously performed the duties of acting cluster commander, wants the community to know who the newly appointed detective heads are, to build partnerships with the community and to enlighten residents about how police go about solving crimes.
Colonel Xola Mntwapi is the Mitchell’s Plain cluster detectives’ co-ordinator, and Lieutenant-Colonel Friccah Masilela, Lentegeur police station’s head of detectives.
Speaking to the Plainsman at Lentegeur police station on Monday January 15, she said the position of cluster commander must still be advertised.
She said while Philippi and Lentegeur police stations do not have community police forums (CPF), the cluster was not in crisis.
Brigadier Letsoalo said she was working closely with the cluster CPF board and chairperson Lucinda Evans, who were prepared to make a change.
“The investigating of crime must be done effectively and efficiently, and the community must be given feedback,” she said.
She said good detective work was necessary to secure a conviction in court.
Brigadier Letsoalo said both heads of detectives have good track records and have served the South African Police Service with pride.
“I know what they are capable of and I can trust that they will deliver,” she said, and encouraged residents to contact her with their queries. I may not be able to answer their calls because I am in meetings, but they can send me an SMS and text me on WhatsApp and I will get back to them,” she said.
Brigadier Letsoalo can be contacted on 082 375 8369.
