Alex residents urged to report crime
JOBURG - Police urge residents to report crimes.
Police officers in Alexandra were asked to act above board in order to encourage residents to report all crimes.
This was said by councillor Shadrack Mkhonto following the recent release by Minister of Police Bheki Cele of crime statistics which show insignificant changes from previous reports. Alex is not spared from this scourge including violent contact crimes of murder and rape reported weekly with some claiming that only a ‘tip of the iceberg’ is reported.
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Mkhonto said residents hesitate to report even violent crimes due to a negative perception of the conduct of some police officers who they claim are dishonest and not professional. “They allegedly take bribes and provide details of whistleblowers to criminals creating apprehension in residents who fear to lose their lives. This stains the image of all officers,” Mkhonto said.
He further blamed soaring crime on government’s failure to control the country’s borders. “Anyone comes in and leaves illegally as they wish, raising questions on the role and function of the border control unit, the army and intelligence services.”
Mkhonto said the revelation of corruption of officials by the maligned Gupta family adds to citizens’ distrust of authorities. “It’s a blot on the country’s leaders which is likely to influence juniors officials to act similarly.
“It makes a mockery of African leaders, dents public trust in them and encourages a culture of criminal impunity which will be difficult and costly to eradicate in the long run.”
He said the recent saga around VBS in Limpopo, where the savings of the bank’s poor clients were swindled, further eroded trust in leaders of both private and public institutions who seemingly benefitted from the scheme. “It reflects insensitivity, lack of moral worthiness and uncontrollable greed by those entrusted with the stewardship of the poor’s only source of financial security.”
Mkhonto also bemoaned the recent legalising by the Constitutional Court of cannabis saying this should have been done simultaneously with regulations and after a public consultation process. “It has caused confusion with those found in possession arrested and unaware of how much they can possess at any one time. It will also encourage heavy smoking like cigarette smokers risking their health and at a cost to the government.”
He is further expressed his concern about the impact this will have on children of the ‘legalised’ smokers and growers of the drug.
In the past, Alex Police Station Commander Brigadier Zoleka Kuboni has urged residents to report complaints they have on errant officers to the station management.
