Manenberg SAPS junior management team elected

Four Grade 11 pupils from schools within the Manenberg SAPS policing precinct have been elected to be part of the station’s junior management team.

The junior management team is a project of the national South African Police Service (SAPS), where high school pupils represent police on national, provincial and local levels. This is to introduce the youth to different policing structures within SAPS to nurture future leadership. They are also expected to initiate awareness campaigns to educate the youth about the dangers of getting involved in criminal activities.

The Manenberg team are Mica Julies from Heideveld High, who is the junior station commander, Erin Winnaar, from Manenberg High, the junior support head, Junior Musa from Cathkin High, the junior detective head, and Insaaf Jonathan, from The Leadership College (TLC), is the Visible Policing (Vispol) head.

According to Captain Ian Bennett, the spokesperson for Manenberg SAPS, the young people also have the task of changing the community’s perception of the police — as some people still consider SAPS as an enemy.

“These four young people now have an understanding of the inner workings of Manenberg SAPS. They have already represented SAPS at various governmental engagements. The junior station commander, Mica Julies, addressed the deputy minister of police before the election, when he visited Manenberg policing precinct at the height of gang violence.

“Addressing large crowds and presenting to their peers is daunting for many, but our youth has proven that ‘it only seems impossible until it’s done’. We are proud of our youth as they take on this new adventure of building a safer nation starting with their community,” Captain Bennett said.

Any young person who wants to make a difference in their community can contact Sergeant Keyster at 082 379 1636.