DA calls on Mayor to step up police presence after child’s death
The DA in Ekurhuleni says that the past weekend’s tragedy, which saw a four-year-old boy dragged behind a hijacked vehicle, highlighted the desperate need for a much heavier preventative police presence in hotspot areas such as Reiger Park.
Chantel Morris was forced to watch helplessly as her child, Taegrin, caught up in a safety belt, was dragged away from her by the men who were stealing her vehicle.
His lifeless body was found kilometres away under the abandoned vehicle.
“Reiger Park is a known hotspot for violence, gangster activity, murder and drug use,” says DA shadow MMC for Community Safety in Ekurhuleni, Michael Basch.
“It is vital that the EMPD offer its support to the South African National Police Service (SAPS) when it comes to preventing violent crime associated with illegal weapons and gangs.”
According to Basch, the EMPD have had huge success with drug busts at OR Tambo International Airport as a result of stop-and-searches as people leave the airport.
The DA calls on Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele to immediately implement a plan to increase EMPD patrols in Reiger Park and other major crime hotspots.
“It is imperative that the metro rolls out similar stop and search roadblocks in high crime areas in an attempt to seize drugs, weapons and other contraband and arrest those linked to possessing and dealing in illegal items.”
For many years the DA has been calling for an improved and visible police presence.
“The EMPD should be fulfilling its current mandate and assist the SAPS by increasing vehicles and visibility in an area plagued by violence,” concludes Basch. – @IschkeBoksburg
