TEKWANE SOUTH – In a dramatic turn of events following a burglary at the house of Miss Mpumalanga, Natasha dos Santos, community members took matters into their own hands on Saturday.
This community, fed up with the ever-escalating crime rate and police incompetency, took to the streets, identified a number of suspected criminals in the area and took them for questioning, something they claimed the Kanyamazane police can’t even do.
The community wanted to disperse their own justice to the suspects, but was reprimanded by their local leader, Cllr Joseph Mashaba.
Instead, they took the suspects into the local hall where they were given an opportunity to speak for themselves in front of the whole community.
Asked what may have triggered so much anger from the community, Mashaba said it was the recent housebreakings and the alleged raping of a woman in front of her husband.
The community accused the Kanyamazane police of colluding and protecting known suspected criminals, especially in this area.
They claimed that they shared information with the police about the recent housebreakings, but nothing was done, so they resorted to handle things themselves.
A follow-up meeting was held again on Sunday to find an amicable solution to the increasing crime rate in this once peaceful neighbourhood.
Since the community can no longer trust the Kanyamazane police, it was decided to write a formal letter to the MEC for community, safety and security, Mr Vusi Shongwe and the acting police commissioner, Maj Gen Meshack Nogwanya requesting them to intervene.
This community did, however, threaten to instigate mob justice should their appeal for help fail.
“We are tired of these criminals and absolutely fed up with police incompetency. We wouldn’t be here today had the police been doing their job,” said a community member during the meeting.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala said they haven’t received a letter from the community as yet and there have not been any formal complaints about the Kanyamazane police.
“Our doors are always open to serve our communities, but I would advise the community to also contact station commander and see if he can’t help them with their problems. We expect that all station commanders must have continual community meetings to address such issues and also forge healthy working relationship,” added Mohlala.
