AT LEAST 14 delegation members of Diepsloot, north of Joburg went to the Union Buildings on Wednesday, 21 June over the high crime rate in their area.
The delegation included the residents, members of churches and Community Policing Forum (CPF).
The visit to the president's office comes after a two-day protest over the lack of police visibility, increased crime and the spate of killings in Diepsloot.
The recent killing was that of one of the CPF members, who was allegedly gunned down while attending a crime scene.
Community leader Loyiso Toyiya said they went to the Union Buildings to deliver an invitation letter calling on Pesident Cyril Ramaphosa and ministers in the police, justice, Home Affairs and informal settlements departments to come and address the residents of Diepsloot.
"We want the president himself. We have had the ministers come here making promises. Temporarily, they would deliver on those promises but later it's back to square one.
"We want a permeant solution. We called the president and the ministers to one room to identify the loopholes, identify who is failing who and why," Loyiso said.
This is not the first time the area has called for the presence of Police Minister Bheki Cele.
In 2022 around April, Cele sent specialised police teams to restore order in the community after mass protests.
But yet again, the community still faces more killings with concerns about lack of police visibility.
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Amid the protest action, on Tuesday, 20 June, resident Clifford Lebepe spoke about his frustrations towards the killings in the area.
"We are being killed and have sat quietly for far too long. We are tired now," Clifford said.
Loyiso told Daily Sun the plan is to sit down with the four ministries to discuss the issues in the community.
He said they would also engage with community members on Friday, 23 June, to give feedback on what transpired during their visit to the Union Buildings.
Reverend Thokwane Dithuge said this was not a wasteful exercise.
"We have commitments, and the meeting was fruitful. We hope for a better life for the community of Diepsloot," he said.
Lefa Nkala (44), Diepsloot Community Forum leader, said they are dealing with dangerous criminals.
"If you have R20 and a cellphone, they'll take the money and phone and thereafter kill you," he said.
The deputy director-general in the Presidency, Matsietsi Mekoa, received their invitation letter.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 21 June, Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, visited Diepsloot extension 12 following an operation by the police, home affairs and a ward councillor.
