National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has issued a public appeal for witnesses to come forward, citing a critical lack of community cooperation in the investigation of a recent shooting in Westbury.
The Commissioner’s remarks, made during a briefing, highlighted a significant challenge facing law enforcement in the area. He expressed frustration that individuals who may have witnessed the crime are refusing to assist authorities.
“One of the challenges… in this specific community is that people don’t come forward in being witnesses,” General Masemola stated. He sought to clarify the role of potential informants, emphasizing that an individual who sees a crime is not an informer, but a witness.
“If you were there when a crime has been committed you are not a whistleblower, you are a witness,” he said. “You have seen what happened so you must be prepared to go to court and give evidence.”
The Commissioner identified this lack of public assistance as a major obstacle to achieving justice. “Unfortunately, there is that part is where it is lacking,” Masemola said. “Communities are not coming forward to assist in terms of coming forward as witnesses. That’s one of the areas that we are asking the community to assist.”
He concluded with a direct plea for cooperation, urging anyone with information to make a formal statement. “We want the cooperation of the community,” General Masemola said. “Whatever you have seen, come forward and stand for it so that you can be able to go to court at the end of the day.”
The police appeal underscores the ongoing difficulties in solving crimes in communities where witness intimidation or a distrust of authorities can create a wall of silence. The investigation into the Westbury shooting continues.