HOUSE-BREAKERS, thieves and muggers who lurk in dark alleys and rob innocent civilians of their belongs will have nowhere to hide this winter.
In attempt to curb the escalating crime wave sweeping the township, eSikhaleni residents have joined forces and formed various Community Policing Forums (CPF’s),
With the ‘dark season’ just around the corner, normally fraught with a high rise of crime, these groups will conduct night patrols and be on the lookout for any criminal activities.
They will work closely with local police officials.
‘Criminals always target people walking from bus shelters at night – in winter it gets dark very early. We want to make sure no one becomes a victim of crime.
‘If we come together, we can ensure these perpetrators have nowhere to hide,’ said Ward 17 CPF chairperson, Donald Hlophe.
Drug dealers will also be under the microscope, with home owners adamant to shut down all drug dens.
Empangeni Police Cluster spokesperson, Capt Mbongeni Mdlalose, encouraged communities to form these units, but warned members to follow rules.
‘Forums must never take law in their own hands, but work with the police. They must not threaten or be physical with suspects, but call the police to investigate.
‘It is not their duty to arrest anyone because unlike police, they are not trained or protected,’ he said.
Mdlalose also pleaded with residents to walk in groups at night, to avoid being targets of criminals, and to stick to safe. well lit routes.
