Pinetown public meeting descends into chaos
eThekwini Deputy Mayor, Fawzia Peer engaged with residents who are fed up with crime in Pinetown.
OVERGROWN verges, neglected parks and crime mainly in the Pinetown CBD were just some of the grievances presented to the deputy mayor, Fawzia Peer, at a meeting in Pinetown on Tuesday, 31 July.
Although the meeting was supposed to be a peaceful engagement between the community and the authorities, it ended up in chaos with blame being flung around and councillors, the SAPS and Metro police being accused of not doing their jobs.
Addressing residents who attended the meeting, Peer said crime is a big issue in the Pinetown area and everyone wants something to be done about it.
“Crime is an escalating issue and no one is safe, rich or poor.”
She said it is really worrying as criminals always shift from one area to another.
ALSO READ: Man fights off armed robbers in Pinetown CBD
“As soon as crime is combated in one area, it moves to another area. Recently Westville was being targeted. I really feel that everyone should channel their anger into action, we should not let crime thrive and by saying that I don’t mean we should turn into vigilantism.
“The blame game is over, crime hits us all and we should present a united front, everyone has a responsibility to play,” said Peer.
Pinetown SAPS station commander, Brigadier Mandla Mhlongo said there are strategies in place as they are working with Metro, security companies, CPFs and neighbourhood watches to address crime in the Pinetown area.
ALSO READ: Residents are fed-up with Lahee Park neglect
One of the residents said the overgrown parks are also attracting criminals, “The public parks are suppose to be for families, but nowadays, there is litter all over, broken bottles, hobos and people selling drugs.
“Bylaws should be implemented. When we call authorities to notify them of this matter, no one responds,” the resident said.
The residents also asked what is being done about the muggings at the taxi ranks and in the CBD.
Peer advised the residents to report these matters to their councillor and the authorities.
“If they feel that they are being ignored they should speak to the higher management,” she said.
ALSO READ: Councillor calls for Home Affairs relocation
Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth, said while they welcome the visit of any roleplayer that could assist with the issue of crime in Pinetown, including the deputy mayor, it must not be forgotten that crime is a national and provincial competency and falls squarely with the SAPS.
“The simple reality is that the SAPS are hampered in their efforts with a lack of resources particularly manpower and vehicles. The Provincial Commissioner needs to step up to ensure that these resources are provided as a matter of extreme urgency.
“The deputy mayor must also not forget her duty to ensure that municipal services such as functional street lighting and cameras are in place to improve the environmental security of the area. Furthermore, I urge the deputy mayor to engage robustly with the head of Metro Police to ensure the municipal by-laws relating to issues such a loitering and public decency are enforced. The non-policing of these ‘petty’ infractions often leads to more serious crime,” said Brauteseth.
Member of Sector 3 CPF Tony Wardle, who organised this meeting, said the main thing was that the residents had had a platform to voice their concerns.
“Our next step is to get the correct contact details for the ward councillors and distribute these accordingly.”
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
