No one has the right to take a life – premier
Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha spoke during the community safety dialogue held at The Ranch Resort in Polokwane
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha says no one has the right to take life because life is a gift from God Himself.
Speaking during the community safety dialogue held at The Ranch Resort in Polokwane recently, Mathabatha said there were still many incidents of abuse and violence in communities that come across as targeted killings. “We have seen the killings of the South African Municipal Workers Union leaders in the Vhembe region. We have witnessed the killing of ANC councillors in the Waterberg region and we have seen the killing of an ANC councillor in Sekhukhune. This is not something we want to see in our province or anywhere in the country. Our view remains that no difference, either political or otherwise can be resolved through violence, particularly the spilling of blood.”
The country is also witnessing a wave of violence and abuse targeted at women and children, he said. “In this province, we have seen fathers killing their own children. We have seen mothers killing the very children they brought into this world. We have seen husbands killing wives and wives killing husbands,” Mathabatha said.
He said the National Development Plan visualises a South Africa where people are living safely without the fear of crime. “Women, children and vulnerable groups should feel protected. They should have confidence in the criminal justice system to effectively apprehend and prosecute criminals who violate individual and community safety.”
He said the fight against crimes therefore requires far more than just a political will, as it’s a societal struggle. “This dialogue must assist us to craft strategies to ensure that we fight crime from all fronts. This dialogue is also tasked to come up with innovative ways to ensure that we deter criminals, prevent criminal actions and educate the public on crime prevention strategies.” He encouraged citizens to participate in the already established Street Committee Forums, Safer School Campaigns and Community Policing Forums.
The Community Safety Dialogue’s purpose was to come up with strategies and tactics in the fight against crime and targeted killings in communities. It was attended by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Dickson Masemola; Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, John Mpe; Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng; Chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Khoshi Malesela Dikgale and other high profile delegates, as well as representatives from the police.
