Community involvement critical in curbing crime
Communities are urged to work with the police to reduce crime in our province
SPEAKING at the opening of a crime summit in Ugu District, KZN MEC for Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, urged community members to work with the police and report criminals and criminal activity within their own communities.
He urged all facets of society, including communities, traditional authorities and the police to form a united front against crime.
‘Criminals plan and execute their nefarious deeds against the community but communities are not planning and coordinating their efforts against criminals and criminality,’ said Mchunu.
‘It starts with spying (ukumpimpa) on the activities of criminals. Let us make ukumpimpa fashionable and work with the police against criminals.’
He said communities produce criminals, which means communities have ample information against them and their activities.
‘This is the very information we should share with the law enforcement agencies,’ he said.
Mchunu also urged community members to report corrupt police officers but warned them of painting all officers with the same brush.
‘We have said time and again that we will not hesitate to take action against corrupt police officers but the reality is that our police officers work very hard and under very difficult conditions. We therefore need to support these hard working police officers and appreciate their contribution to peace and stability.’
