Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane pleaded with community members to work with government and support initiatives aimed at reducing crime and road crashes.
This happened on Saturday [11 March 2017] when the Department staged two roadshows in Nkomazi Municipality to talk to the community about the dangers of crime and educate them about road safety.
These roadshows are campaigns which are part of the department’s initiatives to fight against crime and road carnage. The first roadshow was staged at the Matsamo Plaza in Schoemansdal and later at the Nkomazi Plaza in Naas.
“We are not here today to arrest you, our prisons are getting full and we cannot have a country with many people who have criminal records. That is why we came to plea with you, and to discuss the importance of working together.
“Government alone cannot win the fight against crime and road carnage, we need you to join hands with us as we strive to fight against this scourge. This country belongs to each and every one of us; therefore it is the responsibility of you and me to keep it safe,” he said.
The MEC further urged the community members to become police informers and report those who commit crime to authorities. He also pleaded with parents not to give their underage and unlicensed children cars to drive. “Wait until they are qualified before you allow him or her to behind the steering wheel”, he warned.
Nkomazi Municipality Executive Mayor Councilor Thulisile Khoza, SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma and other stakeholders such as the Road Accident Fund and Road Safety Ambassadors were part of the campaign.
Adding to what the MEC said, General Zuma assured community members that police informers’ identities will be protected. He also gave the community members contact numbers of the Tonga Cluster Commander and the Provincial Office to report irregularities happening in police stations.
He said that his office was aware of the increase on alcohol abuse in the area which resulted to an increase on crime and road crashes. He warned that there would be operations taking place on weekends focusing mainly on public drinking, drunk driving and tavern owners who do not comply with their operating licenses.
Meanwhile, the Executive Mayor of Nkomazi Thulisile Khoza reassured the MEC that her municipality will continue to support all initiatives by the department and SAPS.
She also mentioned that public office bearers in the municipality would always encourage community members to participate in the fight against crime, citing a recent scenario where community members assisted police to arrest dangerous crime suspects.
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Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za