Most of the residents in Witbank policing precinct in Emalahleni Municipality are tired of incidences of child rape and murder in their area.
The residents were speaking yesterday (2 November 2013) during a Public Participation Programme (Imbizo) organised by Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe in coronation informal settlement outside Witbank.
Some of the community members who attended the Imbizo also called on the police to eradicate the scourge of women and child abuse in the area saying that the police need to work hard to bring perpetrators to book so that communities especially children could live in peace. They mentioned incidences of rapes where children were involved and several murders allegedly happened within a spate of three weeks.
The communities also called on Emalahleni Municipality to fastrack the erection of street lights in certain parts of Witbank as absence of lights also exacerbates crime in the area. They have also requested on government to provide houses as most of them lives in shacks.
Residents also complained about incidences where suspects of crime are apprehended by the police but later seen roaming around the streets, this, they say does not auger well for victims of crime, as it suggests that the police are not doing their work properly.There was also a concern about unavailability of addresses for the informal settlements and this undermines the police‘s ability to respond timeously and adequately to crime scenes.
Responding community concerns, SAPS Major General Elias Dlamini, acknowledged the communities’ concerns that child rape in Emalahleni policing precinct was of a huge concern saying that the police are working hard to bring perpetrators to book.
Dlamini also said in most cases women and children are sexually assaulted by people who are known to victims and their families. “Rape suspects are often not strangers but family members such as uncles, brothers, stepfathers, friends or even neighbours, therefore, communities must work hand in hand with police to bring perpetrators to book,” Dlamini said.
Speaking to the residents, MEC Shongwe called on communities to expose the cowards who prey on innocent children and women. “Real men are protectors of their families. What type of men abuse and rape children, what type of
a society are we trying to build when we destroy the future of our children,” the MEC said.
He has also called on parents to look after their children. He added that responsible parents should always know the whereabouts of their children.
Shongwe also took a swipe at people who do not respect the law enforcement agencies saying the police and traffic officers must deal harshly with those who not respect the rule of the law.
He added that criminals cannot be treated with kid gloves while they have violated the law and the rights of others. He cited examples of people who murder others for their belongings and the driver who was arrested driving 216 kilometres on a 120 kilometre zone in Emalahleni yesterday, saying that
police should work hard to ensure that all law breakers are convicted and put behind bars.
Shongwe has also indicated that that due to high incidences of crime in the area, the department would further compliment the crime prevention initiatives by among others conducting an Overall Friday Programme, where liquor outlets and other establishments will be visited.
The MEC further warned people against illegally occupying land in the area, saying this puts a strain on government because the same communities would later embark on violent service delivery protests demanding services on land that was not initially meant for residential purposes.
Yesterday’s programme was among others supported by Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) departments such as Home Affairs, SAPS, Correctional Services, Emalahleni Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Government Communication and Information Services (GCIS) as well as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel : 013 766 4055
Cell : 082 678 1450
