Malvern residents take crime concerns to police

The ANC Raymond Mhlaba Branch in Ward 118 and residents marched against crime on September 29.

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The march started from Persimmon Street in Malvern and proceeded to Cleveland Police Station.

“The march was prompted by recent events of violence and crime in the area that has left the community living in fear,” said branch secretary Sipho Mthembu.

Mthembu said the community needs to take back their streets and make it safe.

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“Residents are urged to attend Cleveland CPF meetings because they are important. This is where we discuss crime and together with the police we then identify and discuss solutions to the crime in our area,” said Mthembu.

He urged people to join street patrols and be active in fighting crime.

“Crime is not only the police’s problem. It is everyone’s problem. We all have roles to play.

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“We need to report crime and root out criminals and the police need to take action,” said Mthembu.

A community member, who is also a shop owner in Malvern, attended the march. He said he was happy to see the community march against crime.

“I’m happy to see people attending the march. We really need to take a stand, as a community, against crime.

“Crime in Malvern is taking over and it is making our area a dangerous place,” said another resident, Kwandokuhle Nxumalo.

Nxumalo told the EXPRESS he witnessed his shop assistant being stabbed to death in his shop on September 2.

“A man, known in Malvern, stabbed Khethokuhle Hlatswayo who was only 22 years old,” said Nxumalo.

“It was like any other Sunday morning. The man came into the shop and bought chips. He asked for chips spice and it was finished. The next thing I saw was this man stabbing Khethokuhle in the chest. I was shocked that this young man died for just chip spice,” said Nxumalo.

“I am angry that this man is still free. I see him walking around Malvern every day. We opened a case and we have not heard of any progress,” said Nxumalo.

Cleveland SAPS communications officer Captain Johan Jordaan confirmed a case of murder is being investigated following the incident.

Capt Jordaan commented that the murder case is still under investigation.

“We are currently looking for the suspect and we encourage the community to help us in finding him. If they see him, they need to contact Cleveland SAPS immediately,” said Jordaan

Mthembu said the community live in fear.

“Crime is high and the violence increases. Our area has experienced a spate of crimes, including, but not limited to, killing of our police and community members, car hijackings, armed robberies, women and child abuse, house break-in and drugs,” said Mthembu.

A memorandum was handed over to Cleveland station commander Colonel Lobisi Motoung.

The memorandum listed the following demands:

• An increase in police visibility in the area.

• Quicker identification and arrest of criminals.

• That investigations into reported cases and murder be thoroughly conducted.

• Immediate closure of all shops selling expired and rotten food.

• Instantaneous closure of unlicensed taverns and those operating outside the set Liquor Board Regulations.

• That police do their work of fighting crime and stop taking bribes.

The branch requested the station commander to respond to the memorandum by October 13.

Capt Jordaan commented that the murder case is still under investigation.

“We are currently looking for the suspect and we encourage the community to help us in finding him. If they see him, they need to contact Cleveland SAPS immediately,” said Jordaan

Contact Cleveland SAPS on 011 607 5746/47.

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