Yesterday (2 October 2013), Mbombela traders have called on Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe to bring police officers in order to raid their stalls, as some traders are believed to be selling drugs.
The traders raised their concerns to the MEC during a meeting in Mbombela Municipality comprised of the traders, departmental officials, municipal officials and the MEC.
Among others, they were concerned about the number of criminal activities happening around their stalls and police’s slow response when called to assist.
One of the representatives, a Mbombela Traders’ committee member, told the MEC that criminals use their stalls as hiding spots and sometimes steal their goods.
“We know the people who gamble next to our stalls and later commit crime. We also know those who sell drugs next to our stalls but they cannot be dealt with without the police,” said the representative.
The traders also complained that there are those who conduct their businesses using irregularly issued permits by some officials from the municipality and they have therefore called on the MEC to also deal with corrupt officials.
MEC Shongwe promised the traders that he would request the police to investigate the alleged corrupt activities relating to issuing of trading permits. “We have heard a lot of concerns about Mbombela and together with the police and other stakeholders; we will not rest until we have completely dealt with all the criminals and the drug dealers.
We cannot allow few people to dent the image of our beautiful city; crime is among the factors that will cripple the economy of our city,” said Shongwe. He added that there is a need for an integrated plan for all provinces to fight the scourge of crime as some criminals move around provinces to commit crime.
Meanwhile, Executive Mayor Councillor Cathy Dlamini said they are doing their outmost best to ensure that the city is clean. She added that the Municipality would ensure that all traders are registered in their database before end of October 2013 to avoid illegal trading.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
