Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu recently signed co-operation agreements with Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni law enforcement to fight crime together.
The signing took place on October 10 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville and was attended by newly elected Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya.
The agreement calls on all law enforcement agencies, private security companies, and the community in these neighbouring municipalities to work together in the fight against crime.
“People of Tshwane have complained about crime. We have a place called Jukulyn, when mentioned people don’t know whether to smile or cry. We have allowed criminals to overtake [overrun] what is supposed to be a safe space for our residents,” Moya said.
The mayor also referenced the killing of five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane of Soshanguve UU in May when the young boy was gunned down when his father was hijacked at the family home.
“We talk about statistics but crime has a face. A few months ago we buried Mashada, a life that was taken away from us by criminals.
Again a few weeks ago I was in Bronkhorstspruit. Later in the day, I got a phone call informing me that five or six bodies were discovered believed to be Boko Haram members.
A few months ago I read on News 24 that the City of Tshwane has the third-highest district regarding teenage pregnancy that is criminal. Who sleeps with a 16-year-old if not a criminal?” Moya asked.
The mayor also referred to land-grabbing, illegal sales of metro services, and illegal water and electric connections in the metro.
She acknowledged that the TMPD is working steadfastly to combat these issues but that the metro needs help.
“This agreement means to us that we will be able to call… I will be the crybaby executive mayor because we need these resources but we also need the co-operation,” she said.
National police commissioner General Fani Masemola said even though the municipalities have been working together already, the agreement solidifies their commitment.
“This agreement makes sure that all spheres of government – from national, provincial and local and all law enforcement agencies – work together. [To] make sure that all sub-districts of Tshwane, as Tshwane is divided into four, are occupied at all times…Make sure that there is no space for criminals,” Masemola said.
The police minister paid homage to the men and women in blue who put their lives on the line every day to ensure residents remain safe.
“I know all South Africans love their police force. The only people who don’t love you are criminals, that is why we signed this agreement. Those people, the criminals, they don’t like stability and they don’t like peace in this country. They don’t like the safety of all of us and they don’t like security for the people of South Africa,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu remarked that criminals often target vulnerable members of society and their own communities for selfish gain, compromising the safety of others in the process.
He also warned police officers that a lot of work awaits them and if they feel they are not up for the task, should return their uniforms and firearms and go be criminals instead.
“You can’t be a police officer during the day and then you become a criminal at night, it’s not going to work anymore. If you find me doing anything criminal, forget that I am a minister and arrest me. Nobody is bigger, all of us are equals,” he said.
He warned that extortionists will be dealt with harshly, stating it is not their days that are numbered but hours.
“There can be no criminal who can take a police officer for granted, when they see you, they must run. You have our support. Let us clean our streets, let us clean our settlements, our homes, our suburbs, everything, we must just be everywhere, they must have no space,” Mchunu concluded.
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