Tongaat residents are fed-up about the high crime rate in their town.
More than 200 people marched to the police station last Friday demanding improved policing.
African National Congress Ward 62 secretary, Mxolisi Manyoni, said the community were demanding more police officers and resources, as well as the integration of community policing forums and neighbourhood watches.
“In all townships, villages and informal settlements we face constant murders, business robberies and drug dealing,” said Manyoni.
Several business owners closed their shops and joined the march in solidarity as the march progressed through Tongaat from Home Affairs to the police station, where a memorandum was handed over.
In September the Tongaat police faced criticism from business owners caught in the grip of an alarming crime spike.
Frustrated, they said they had no choice but to mobilise themselves to combat the problem.
During that period, at least 19 businesses in the Tongaat CBD fell victim to armed robberies within three weeks.
A meeting held at the Tongaat Community Hall resulted in the formation of an interim committee with a mission to establish a robust business watch initiative and explore comprehensive solutions to address rising crime.
In that meeting, Tongaat Saps did not deny they faced a lack of manpower and resources at the station.
The station only has 101 employees, including administrative staff, of which 42 are police officers.
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