Operation clean-up in Sheppie CBD is working
Numerous weapons including knives and bush knives recovered by the the taxi patrollers in Port Shepstone since the clean-up started a month ago.
Crime, robbery and drug trafficking has been on the increase in Port Shepstone CBD for many years, making it a grim situation.
Businesses owners, residents and shoppers were desperate for solutions, and thanks to the Port Shepstone CPF committee and Operation Santaco Ugu Clean-up for making the CBD a safer place.
The clean-up started about a month ago, and numerous weapons have been confiscated from criminals and handed to police.
Selvan Chetty, CPF Executive stated that the CPF committee has received positive feedback from the community and businesses.
“The town is cleaner, shoppers and people are able to walk freely without fear of being mugged. The zero tolerance for crime is working. We have received a complaint or two accusing our volunteers and taxi stakeholders of being heavy-handed. We have encouraged such individuals to lodge a complaint with the Saps. A suspect who tries to be difficult, defies directives or refuses to cooperate will be stopped and taken to Saps.”
The Port Shepstone business community is grateful for the initiative as it allows customers to shop in comfort and safety.
With the CBD under surveillance, vagrants or paras have moved to residential areas and other towns. The CPF is aware that some areas have experienced an influx of vagrants with a spike in criminal activity. “Our station CPF is working with local structures in each community to try and deal with these issues. For this to succeed, communities must assist and be part of our crime fighting efforts,” said Chetty.
He added that the operation is not sustainable in its current form and volunteers will need to be coordinated, given a basic stipend, as well as cover expenses for general running purposes.
“To make this work, more detailed planning and support are required from all stakeholders,” said Chetty.
To assist Operation Santaco Ugu Clean-up with funds, make a deposit at First National Bank, account name Santaco Ugu Clean-up, account number 63030437057.
For more information contact the operations manager on 061 5421301 or 083 9986597.
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