KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu has urged the people of Hillcrest and surrounding areas to bury political and racial divisions but instead unite to fight crime.
Mchunu uttered these strong remarks when he was addressing the community of Hillcrest, at the Hillcrest library yesterday evening. Mchunu appealed to the community to work together and form strong partnership and actively participate in the fight against crime. This meeting was called to address the wave of crime that has engulfed this area in the past two weeks. Many cases of robbery, burglary, theft, assault and murder have been reported in the recent past in the area of Pinetown, Hillcrest, Kloof and Embo.
Earlier yesterday MEC Mchunu, accompanied by MEC for Education, Senzo Mchunu, member of the Legislature, Belinda Scott and the local councillor visited the family of slain Jacquise Oosthuizen (35) in KIoof to convey government’s condolences and sympathy.
“Crime has no racial lines and no political affiliate. We cannot fight and defeat crime when we are divided. We all need to unite and stand together to eliminate crime in our communities,” said Mchunu.
Recently the Provincial Commissioner, General Mammunye Ngobeni launched a track team of specialising experts to investigate and ensure successful prosecution to all the crimes committed in the area.
Mchunu commended the breakthrough by the police and issued a stem warning to those suspects still at large that, police are on their feats.
“We commend the work done by the police. We are also satisfied with the progress thus far. There are weaknesses that have been identified which the police are working on to strengthen their capacity. We are confident that a highly specialising team working on these cases will arrest all the outstanding suspects. It is no surprise that three of the arrested suspects are implicated in eight cases committed in this area. Our people cannot be held at ransom by criminals who are threatening safety of our communities,” added Mchunu.
The meeting resolved to build a strong local CPF, ensure police visibility and community to develop a clear programme of working together voicing their anger against crime and criminals.
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