Musina community fed-up with crime
The community of Musina is tired of being terrorised by criminals and is pointing fingers at the police, claiming they are doing nothing about crime.
LIMPOPO – Residents held a peaceful march from the Musina Nancfield Lesley Manyathela Stadium to the local police station on Friday.
When they got to the police station to hand in a memorandum, residents requested that the police provide them with an action plan regarding the issues raised. They asked for a response within 14 days, failing which they would shut down activities in the Musina area including schools and government offices.
The Musina police station’s crime statistics continue to escalate and the number of unresolved crimes continues unabated.
Members of the Indian community feel they are victims of crime sprees and the number of robberies keeps escalating.
Representing residents, Samuel Muleya appealed to the police to maintain a policy of zero tolerance towards all crime.
“Some community members have information about the crimes that have been committed in the area and are afraid to give this information to the police,” he said.
He added that many crimes had occurred in the area and in most of them the suspects were known by the community.
He appealed to the police to work out a plan, complete with time frames, and to stipulate how the community can become involved in pro-active crime prevention. “Both the community and criminals should take notice of this plan,” he added.
“The time has arrived for the community and the police to take hands to fight crime aggressively and pro-actively in an organised and results-driven manner. The alternative is that we will be too scared to live in this area and all doors will be closed in respect of any possible opportunities to be created,” says Muleya.
Brig Eddie van der Walt said the police would spare no effort in the war against crime.
“We will work with the community and stakeholders until we defeat crime. We are going to work on the information and hope something positive is going to come from this,” he said.
Van der Walt said that he is going to submit the memorandum to the provincial police commissioner, who will respond within 14 working days.
He urged the community to report officers who misuse state property, adding that corrupt officers had no place in the provincial government.
“It is everyone’s business to look after government property, so please report any corrupt activities,” he said.
