JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Deputy Minister of Science and Technology urged the society to form a united front against crime, following the shooting of ANC Chief Whip and MP, Jackson Mthembu in an armed robbery while withdrawing money at an ATM.
“On behalf of the NFP, I wish Mr Mthembu a speedy recovery. But at the same token, I wish to express my disgust and shock at the manner and the length to which criminals are prepared to go to get whatever they want. Crime is worsening in our country and clearly everybody is vulnerable. I view this attack not as an incident directed at Mr Mthembu, but it’s an attack on society,” said KaMagwaza-Msibi.
“If a person cannot be safe at an ATM, where there are people around, just imagine what these thugs can do to you when they found you in an isolated environment. It’s a serious societal problem. It’s high time that we come together and unite against this scourge.
“We need to strengthen neighbourhood watches, street committees and community policing forums. A country with a population like ours cannot and should not be held to ransom by a few criminals. Let’s root out criminal elements in our society or history will judge us harshly,” said KaMagwaza-Msibi.
She said in order for the country to win the battle against crime, there was an urgent need to rid our communities of drugs.
“This problem does not need us to sit in a conference or workshop. But it calls for us to go out there and root out criminal elements,” KaMagwaza-Msibi added.
