KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Willies Mchunu, has commended the swift action by members of uPhongolo CPF who helped in the arrest of a stock-theft suspect who was later arrested by police in uPhongolo, north of KwaZulu-Natal.
Members of CFP in the Mhhushulu area, in uPhongolo, on Wednesday evening, 3 July 2013 caught the stock-theft suspect red-handed with two cattle. They immediately handed him to the uPhongolo police.
The CPF members had also took guard of the cattle for all the night until they were taken over by the uPhongolo Stock Theft Unit on Thursday and later release to their rightful owners. It emerged that the suspect, who has since been arrested by the police, was taking them (the cattle) to the home of a local isangoma to pay for ukuphothulwa (graduation) of his girlfriend who was undergoing training as isangoma (ukwethwasa).
The suspect (whose name is known to the department) is in custody in u Phongolo police station. A case of stock theft has been opened. Mchunu yesterday commended the members of the CPF for the good work, saying this incident clearly indicated what positive work could be done when communities and police worked together.
“This heroic performance by members of uPhongolo CFP illustrates what could be done when people organise themselves and form a united front against crime. Their swift action to work with police to apprehend the suspect is a lesson to be learnt by all those who want to fight crime and keep their areas crime free. Clearly, our efforts to mobilise communities to form a united front against crime and to work hand in hand with the police, are beginning to pay dividend.
"I say to these CPF members this is work well done. Let thieves and criminals know that with this partnership between communities and police, it is certainly not going to be business as usual for them," said Mchunu. He also thanked police for responding swiftly when alerted by the members of the CPF.
