Police assure business people safety
“We want to make sure that all business owners are safe at all times".
Duduza- SAPS social crime prevention and sector managers joined hands with the Duduza local businesses in hosting the Tourism Indaba on Thursady.
The indaba was held to encourage local businesses to venture into the tourism industry.
Duduza spokesperson Sgt Harry Manaka says they aim to make Duduza one of the tourist attractions in the Ekurhuleni area.
“As the members of the police we decided to get involved in the initiative to reassure business owners that the police are available to help fight crime in the area.
“Tourism is seen as one of the major boosters of the country’s economy and we would like to contribute to the growth of this country.
“As the police we want business people to feel and operate in a safe environment at all times,” he says.
Manaka says crime has the potential to drive locals out of business.
“This should be a thing of the past; we want business people to operate freely without being held ransom by the criminals.
“We want to make sure all business owners are safe at all times,” he says.
Manaka says crime is already costing the country a significant amount in revenue in the tourism industry.
“ It cannot be allowed that tourists are driven out by the sense of uncertainty as far as safety is concerned.
“We are calling to business owners to report any cases of crime to the police for us to be able to remove these criminals from the community.
“They must know that they don’t have a place in the community,” he says.
Business owner Thamsanqa Ndhlovu says he is happy the police are offering safety to small business owners in the area.
“As tuckshop owners we are always scared of criminals, especially in the evening.
“They break into our shops and steal some of our stock and money.
“We are now scared to operate in the township because it is not safe,” he says.
