Corrupt police, dysfunctional police stations, gangsterism, illegal firearms, illegal mining, drugs, gender-based violence and crime are some of the burning issues faced by the Umjindi community.
During a public participation (imbizo) held at the Barberton Sports Grounds on Saturday, members of the community voiced their dissatisfaction and accused some members of the police of being corrupt, and politicians of using young boys as gangs to take out their rivals.
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One community member, Ayanda Magagula, said they have been writing to the minister of police seeking help, as crime in the area is way more complex and needs serious intervention by the state.
“We tried to seek help from our local police, but they were of no help. The Barberton Police Station is dysfunctional to a point where if you report a crime, they will take more than six hours to respond.
“Sometimes when you call seeking for immediate help, they say there’s a shortage of staff and police vehicles. I am thinking of even donating my van to the police so that they can live up to their oath of serving the community. We have submitted memorandums to the minister with no luck of response,” said Magagula.
“We sent enquiries to the provincial SAPS offices, but as usual, they never respond. I have a petition here with more than 800 signatures of locals demanding to see change in the police system. We only have one police station, which must serve a population of more than 65 000 people, and mathematically that will not work.
We are pleading with the department to recruit more members as it is clear that there is a shortage. We have a serious problem of politicians using small boys to fight their battles to eliminate competition, especially in political branch meetings where violence always brews,” said Magagula.
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The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, responded to the community and said the days of gangs that terrorise communities in and around Barberton will soon be a thing of the past.
Shongwe said some unscrupulous business people use gangs deliberately, because they mainly consist of underage children who cannot be prosecuted.
“There are leaders and business people who use children in pursuance of their ambitions. These include some tavern and taxi owners who want to destroy their rivals. Go and tell all those evil people that their days are numbered,” said Shongwe.
As part of responding to crime in the area, the department is working with various stakeholders and will implement programmes on a regular basis.
“Teams will be sent to monitor and do stop-and-searches in and around Barberton, and anyone found being linked to crimes will be brought to book. I am pleading with the community to be involved in crime prevention initiatives as part of reclaiming the once peaceful Barberton from criminals.
Those who are afraid to report crimes to the police because they are scared to be victimised, can report directly to me or the provincial police commissioner. United we are strong, but divided we are giving the criminals an opportunity to terrorise us. Let’s work together to fight this,” said Shongwe.
The provincial police commissioner, General Lieutenant Semakaleng Manamela, said, “Allegations of corruption levelled against some members are viewed in a very serious light and will be looked at. I urge communities with information on corrupt police officers to come forward so that such cases are investigated. We cannot only complain about crime without giving the police information,” she said.
