Publications
Partners
ON November 6, 100 ward safety committee members were officially welcomed at the Bhongweni Youth Centre to fight crime in Kokstad and surrounding areas.
Kokstad residents have in the past expressed unhappiness about the local police, saying they are friends with drug dealers and as a result crime is increasing each day.
Greater Kokstad Municipality Mayor Bheki Mtolo has promised to work with safety committee members to end crime and said he will put pressure on the SAPS to do their work as required. Mtolo said he will be leading a march against crime where a memorandum will be handed to the Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison for intervention. He said crime incidents like murder, rape and burglaries are concerning.
At the launch, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda, was among the guests who called for community members to work with SAPS to end crime. “Residents must stop buying stolen goods from criminals. There should be more activities in aid of fighting crime during this festive season,” said Kaunda.
Unhappy residents claim that when they report the illegal selling of drugs to the SAPS, they are not taken seriously.
Phumzile Nocanda, a Horseshoe resident, has called for safety committee members to be equipped with skills and resources to fight crime efficiently. He complained about the lack of police vehicles and strong leadership in the Kokstad Police Station, saying that all these factors contribute to the high crime rate.
Another resident, Eric Nkamba, complained about criminals who get arrested and are then seen walking freely in the streets. Kaunda has promised to attend to all the complaints.
