The objective of which is to humbly bring to your attention the grave concerns of hundreds, if not thousands, of residents of Kathorus who are terrified of the escalating crime rate in their townships.
As you may very well know by now, Sir, this crime wave is not only confined to the townships of Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus, but has engulfed just about every corner of our beloved land. However, as a resident of Kathorus, I hereby wish to highlight the fear and anguish experienced by the crime-ravaged communities in the areas.
The crime wave is destroying the lives of almost every local resident in the area on an almost daily basis. Residents are being subjected to the worst siege by merciless criminals who rob, maim and kill innocent victims with impunity.
House break-ins, business robberies, rapes, murders, child molestation and the abuse of the young and the elderly are just some of the crimes that are reported on a daily basis at most of our local police stations in these areas. And as it is common during this time of the year, as we observe 16 Days of Activism, once again locals expect criminals to have a field day as they terrorise residents, abuse and sometimes even kill women and children.
Of course, Sir, if you care to look into the annual crime statistics, more women and children become victims of crime in our township and many other parts of our beloved country during this period. To me and many other concerned residents, it is as if criminals are poking fun at the police and our judiciary system by going all out to maim, molest, abuse and even kill their victims with impunity. This has resulted in many residents cowering in the their homes for safety. But as you may know, Sir, even our homes are longer safe from these daring and bold criminals in our midst.
What is even scarier, Sir, is that these vile and brutal crimes are no longer the exclusive terrain of older, hardened criminals. Most of these foul crimes are being committed by young people, many of whom are barely out of their teens, and this is what particularly terrifies the ordinary men and women in our townships.
And as you know, Sir, members of your own “boys and girls in blue” have also become victims of this scourge of violent crime. The notorious criminal who shot and killed Warrant Officer Sipho Mthethwa in Vosloorus a few months ago remains at large, as do the killers who ambushed Constable Buthelezi during a business robbery at Chris Hani Crossing a year or so ago.
Of course, Sir, I fully understand your predicament in trying to effectively deal with crime in the country. Recently you announced the re-introduction of the feared “Ama-Beret” Tactical Unit, who are known for their no-nonsense stance against crime and criminals, but alas, you were sadly taken to task and accused by some sectors of our community of “introducing brutality” into your policing methods.
I understand, Sir, yours is a sharp, double-edged knife. It cuts you both ways.
Tough as it may sound to some, I’m sure there hundreds, if not thousands, of residents around Kathorus and other parts of our beloved country who are looking forward to you bringing in the army to curb the rampant crime in our townships.
To sign off, Sir, I, together with many other peace-loving residents have no option but to support you in this regard, tough as it may sound to those who say the army is for fighting wars and not crime. I have no doubt that by calling on members of the SANDF to patrol our country’s streets this festive season, you could save many innocent lives from being lost to crime in our townships.
Yours Sincerely.
Zaid Sipho Khumalo
The Editor
Kathorus MAIL
