ANC politician shooting: Opposition party ‘shocked’, calls for action

The DA in the West Rand calls on the police, politicians, and the like to give serious attention to the ongoing crime wave grappling the Rand West City region.

According to DA caucus leader in Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) Hullet Hild, the DA was especially shocked to learn that ANC regional secretary Mkhuseli Jokazi and the MMC of Infrastructure at RWCLM, Jeje Yaqub have recently become victims of tragic shooting incidents.

Hild said in a statement, issued last week, that this follows recent outbreaks of serious crimes in the area including an increase in violent crimes like murder and attempted murder.

“While residents are fearful of going about their daily lives, we cannot overstate the importance of a well-supported and trained police force. It becomes easy to dodge the buck of responsibility when addressing crime, but members of the legislature have an important role to play in this regard.

“We call on urgent intervention by the National Police Commissioner in the West Rand Region. It simply isn’t enough to say that the province’s contribution to the crime rate will remain high because of the unique profile we have. If those in power were serious about addressing the issues residents face, and serious about assisting those in need they would follow a comprehensive approach.”

• Also read: ANC council whip shot after community meeting

Hild said they would:

• Address the socio-economic issues the province faces by ensuring that young people are adequately prepared for the job market
• Ensure that there is a job market for these young people to enter, by creating an environment that supports business, rather than actively creating an environment wherein business is impossible
• Reinforce a well-supported and trained police force, to adequately address the rampant crime wave
• Stop defunding the non-governmental institutions that bolster development and positive change

“It is, however, clear that there is a gap between what citizens need, and what government is willing to assist with. Rampant crime will remain a part of the landscape, should our call not be heeded.”