Mpumalanga communities and police officers should take the credit for keeping Mpumalanga safe and peaceful during the festive season. This is according to Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe.
Shongwe said this on Tuesday after the December holidays’ police operations yielded peace for the people of the province due to the increased visibility of the police, countless law enforcement raids and cooperation by community members who allowed police to conduct their work effectively.
He said that this was the cornerstone of democracy and key to the achievement of government priorities, in particular, ensuring that people in the province are and feel safe.
This is a good sign to the MEC because shortly after his appointment to this position, he noticed that in some of the province’s townships police officers who were doing their work efficiently, were sometimes prevented from working by powerful individuals and other groupings in the communities.
“From the onset I mentioned that there would be no “no-go” areas for the police in the province and that we want a peaceful and secure province. The fruits are beginning to be overt because wherever police officers operate, they ensure that peace prevails and the law is upheld,” said Shongwe.
Leading some of the operations in his duty to maintain a crime free environment, the MEC witnessed incidences where people were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons, drugs, stolen vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol, which is a root cause of fatal accidents.
He also led operations where some police officers and government officials were arrested for crimes such as drunken driving, negligent handling of firearms and misuse of state vehicles.
“It is encouraging that the law does not only target ordinary citizens, but anybody who is perpetuating crime including police officers. We want each and every resources allocated to public servants be used for the benefit of communities, not individuals,” he said.
Shongwe applauded those officers who are not biased when performing their duties, saying the country needs them most to eradicate crime and corruption in the province.
He said that community members who always allow police officers to operate in their spaces are patriotic to the country because these operations saves lives, properties and sustain the wellbeing of law abiding citizens.
He said those who always react with negative attitude when police want to search their properties, will always be dealt with accordingly because no individual is above the law.
“We are happy because these operations generates many compliments from community members due to the fact that the streets are reclaimed from criminals, taverns close according to stipulated times and they are made to adhere to the conditions of their licenses,” Shongwe concluded.
Working together with the management of South African Police Service, the department will ensure that multi-disciplinary operations continue until crime is eradicated in the province.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 405
Police and communities contribute to a peaceful safety season in Mpumalanga - Shongwe
Province
