POLOKWANE – Fed-up with the increasing number of crime in the area, 10, dedicated and selfless Seshego residents took hands to form the Seshego Community Against Crime and Gangsterism (SCACAG), a non-profit organisation.
Founded in April 2020, during lockdown level 5, founding member and treasurer, Slight Mabotja says there was no peace in Seshego as crime was at an all time high.
“Women and children were living in constant fear, even in their own homes. Gangsters in our communities ruled the streets, doing as they pleased, terrorising and tormenting the community by robbing residents of not only their belongings, but their dignity,” said Chairman, Vincent Kunutu.
Kunutu says it was then that Mabotja came up with the idea to assist the police by patrolling the neighbourhood to catch perpetrators, and to make the community a safer and peaceful place for all.
“We then approached the Station Commander of the Seshego Police Station, Brig Mashilo Tlhako, who advised us to register the NPO, which gave us formal recognition in the community, and we received a patrolling permit. The permit allows us to patrol the streets alongside the police in order to help fight crime,” he added.
Kunutu says marginalised crimes such as Gender-Based Violence are treated with care and the group will sit down with affected families/parties to find an amicable solution to the problem. He pleaded with the community to continue to work together to sent a clear message to criminals, not to make Seshego their playground.
Kunutu told BONUS that one of the group’s success stories include shutting down gang-led clubs in the area that were causing problems for the community.
“This shows the positive impact we’re making to keep our community safe and free from criminal activities. We try as much as we can to reach out to the community, and we ask the community to report any suspicious activity, so that we can deal with it. We also don’t want the community to take matters into their own hands, reverting to mob justice. This is why we advise victims of crimes to report it and open a case at the local police station,” Mabotja explained.
He added that they work and rely solely on donations for resources such as petrol and are asking for assistance and support from local businesses.
The SCACAG Facebook group now boasts more than 26 000 members and they have an active WhatsApp group where crimes and concerns can be shared.
