Firearms, drugs, witchcraft among key generators of crime

It has been established that crime in Mpumalanga is mostly generated by firearms, mob justice, liquor outlets, usage of drugs, witchcraft, taxi violence, organised crime and stock theft.

Although illegal firearms are mostly used in committing crime, some legal firearms are also involved. Police have recorded 14 cases of murder in Mpumalanga over the past weekend and mostly, the murders were as a result of generic crimes while others were caused by firearms, knives, and domestic violence.

Mob justice is also regarded as a contributor to crime. Crime suspects get murdered by community members who take law into their hands while police rush to a crime scene. The most affected areas are Masoyi and Matsulu.

People usually commit crime after having consumed too much alcohol. Liquor outlets are culprits as they do not comply with the conditions of their operating licenses. It has been established that people commit crime when outlets close very late, and when they leave the closed outlets to look for open taverns.

Drug abuse seems to be on the increase at schools. Police have discovered tick, cocaine, and guns in five schools in Bushbuckridge and learners end up mugging their teachers of their cell phones in order to buy drugs.

Involvement of security guards in the taxi industry also contributes significantly to crime, because most of them have illegal firearms which they use during taxi violence. This was disclosed during a meeting organised by Mpumalanga Safety and Security MEC, Mr Siphosezwe Masango on Tuesday, 4 November 2008 with all public safety municipal councillors in Mpumalanga to discuss issues relating to safety in the province.

The meeting held in Barberton, among others looked at issues relating to the integrated 2010 safety and security, crime trends in Mpumalanga, progress on tourism and school safety, and progress on Community Safety Forums.

Community Safety Forum

The transformation of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) into Community Safety Forums (CSFs) has taken a step further. The Department of Safety and Security has already recruited and trained CSFs volunteers at 31 prioritised police stations in the province. CSFs are volunteers who will be working with police to ensure safety in the communities.

The department has entered into a partnership with Old Mutual to provide furniture and computers to the CSF offices.

The restructuring of CPFs, which will cost the provincial government R1.55 million, will also ensure that communication between the department and the community on crime prevention is improved.

Tourism Safety Monitors

Tourism Safety Monitors (TSM) provides safety to domestic and international tourists throughout Mpumalanga. While they create a safe and conducive environment for tourists who visit Mpumalanga, they help with increased community awareness on safety and economic benefits of tourism.

They attend to crime likely to affect tourists such as car hijacking, theft of motor vehicles, rape, common robbery and burglary.

The monitors have been deployed at tourism problematic areas. At least 67 have been deployed in Gert Sibande Region, 62 in Nkangala Region and 110 in the Ehlanzeni Region.

Monitors receive a monthly stipend of R1 800 per person, and the package includes uniform and training.

They are not trained as police reservists since they provide customer care, communication and reporting mechanism to the police. They have basic knowledge of how the criminal justice system works.

Integrated 2010 Safety and Security Plan

The FIFA LOC has requested support from Premiers and MECs to provide stewards or marshals for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The stewards are safety monitors working in the stadium during the World Cup matches to control the crowds. They will be trained and be ready for the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.

Additional to the stewards, FIFA is expecting provinces to recruit 30 volunteers who will provide services for free to the 2010 LOC.

School safety

Safety in schools has become a matter of national priority and it requires structured and integrated approach in order to make impact towards responding to the threats and challenges in schools.

The school based crime prevention strategy targets all school communities. It shall be implemented in an integrated structured approach headed by the Department of Safety and Security and the Department of Education.

The strategy will focus on safety and security of the structures (buildings), surroundings (play grounds), movement and control, and other environmental designs that may predispose learners to crime and danger.

It will also attempt to influence parents, educators, learners and the general community behaviour and attitude towards each other on school safety initiatives.

Finally, the strategy will adopt a holistic approach of how the school operates. This includes policies, procedures, structures, effective management and governance.

16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children

The Office of the Premier has officially handed over the responsibility of organising the 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children to the Department of Safety and Security.

Although the Office of the Premier will still serve as a resource department in this year’s activities, Safety and Security will budget and ensure success in the years to come.

The 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children is a United Nations Campaign aimed at creating awareness about violence to women and children.

This year’s theme is “don’t look away, act against abuse”.

For more information contact: 
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450

Issued by: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
6 November 2008
Source: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za)

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