Support the Know Your Rights Campaign
KwaThema – On Saturday, the KwaThema Community Policing Forum (CPF) will host a ‘Know Your Rights Campaign’ for the community.
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This initiative, which is aimed at empowering the community, will be held at the KwaThema Community Hall, from 9am.
CPF chairperson of KwaThema Oupa ‘Zero’ Mabiletsa (49) says the purpose of the event is to address the challenges of domestic violence and mob justice, among other criminal activities.
“As a forum that bridges a gap between the police and the community, during community meetings we often hear people complaining about the police arresting criminals and then, however, the same people are soon released by the court.
• Read: Know your rights
“Not everyone understands this – some community members believe it is the police which release these people, which later leads to mob justice incidents,” says Mabiletsa.
He adds that some people further believe that these releases take place because the police have been paid, which is incorrect and why there is a need to inform people with the correct information.
“We want the community to know our various stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities.
“Furthermore, it is important for our people to know their rights and how they can trace criminal cases and follow up on these,” he adds.
During the engagement, the government departments which will address the community include the police, metro police, correctional services and the justice system, among others.
An ex-convict from the community will also share his story about being on the wrong side of the law and how crime does not pay.
• Also read: Motorist vs tow truck driver – what are your rights
Mabiletsa invites everyone from the community to attend this campaign.
He says it might also help in the reduction of crime so that the community does not take the law into their own hands.
For more information on the campaign, residents can contact Mabiletsa on 073 120 9809 or deputy chairman Bafana Maseko on 073 554 7845.