Councillor helps link Pinetown businesses and SAPS
The businesses in the Westmead area were worried about the high rate of crime and are looking at forming a forum.
DUE to an outcry from business owners in the Westmead area, the DA PR councillor for wards 13 and 15, convened a meeting with the Pinetown Police Station to discuss ways to combat crime in the area.
Debbie Stones, a Westmead business owner, whose business was burgled several times, expressed her frustration. She added that businesses faced many challenges including break-ins and telephone cable theft and if it wasn’t dealt with it could lead to businesses closing down.
“High crime rates are an investment risk and increases the cost of doing business, forcing business owners to spend more money on security measures, ” said the DA PR councillor for the two wards, Marlaine Nair.
“The inability to effectively combat crime kills growth and opportunity and entrenches the position of those who are unemployed.
“Fighting crime is a key factor in attracting investment and job creation. Increased safety is not just for business owners to feel secure, but also for a prosperous economy to be built,” she said.
Nair suggested that a Business Against Crime Forum be formed.
W/O Samson Muzi Maphumulo welcomed the idea and said he has been trying to initiate such a forum for quite some time. He explained business owners would need to remain committed to the forum to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
“I will be visiting businesses in the area to engage with business owners before initiating the BAC forum,” said Maphumulo.
He added that he would provide feedback to Captain Debbie O’Brien who was responsible for the area and together they would plot a way forward.
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