The MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane believes that all residents in the province have a role to play in the fight against crime.
She wrote in a statement that crime knows no boundaries as it cuts across race, class, age, gender and social status.
“However, all of us have a role to play in the fight against crime,” explained the Minister.
According to her, law enforcement agencies are entrusted to maintain law and order by ensuring that people of Gauteng are safe, but they lack resources such as vehicles and this causes challenges in the police force.
“The increase in murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and common robbery recorded 10.4 per cent, 11.4 per cent and 11.6 per cent, respectively. Increases were also recorded on assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, burglary at business premises, carjacking, truck hijacking, robbery at businesses and houses,” Nkosi-Malobane said.
Although there were successes in the province which included a total of 12 703 vehicles recovered and 179 police officers arrested for various crimes, MEC indicated a lot needed to be done.
“It is an indication that SAPS is trying, but not much can be done without communities taking charge of their safety, by working hand in hand with the police,” she said.
Gauteng Province with its Law Enforcement Agencies introduced measures aimed at turning the situation around in the current financial year.
“These interventions include fostering coordination among all law enforcement agencies in the province through the establishment of the Gauteng Law Enforcement Agencies Forum,” emphasised MEC.
The establishment of this structure was expected to assist in identifying some of the challenges hampering policing such as inadequate radio communication integration among the agencies.
“The Take Charge and Know your Neighbourhood campaigns remain key initiatives to community mobilisation. To ensure that we effectively address high levels of the crime rate in our province, all law enforcement agencies should be held accountable for an increase in crime in the province,” concluded Nkosi-Malobane.
Details: Gauteng Department of Community Safety 011 689 3621.
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