SOCIAL media is being used to lure children into human trafficking and drugs have become easily available to learners.
These are just some of the many issues raised at a recent Imbizo Crime Summit.
Organised by visible policing head and acting station commander for Kempton SAPS, Col Steven Moodley, the summit sought to introduce the various groups involved in crime-fighting to ordinary citizens who are concerned about crime.
Various stakeholders, including police officers, CPF groups, members from private security companies, representatives from religious organisations, NGOs and concerned members of the community attended the summit. Ward councillors Jaco Terblanche and Gideon van Zyl were also there.
The delegation was split into various commissions in order to deliberate on specific crime issues affecting the city.
Each group discussed what they thought were the causes of crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, drug dealing and drug abuse and armed robberies – and possible solutions.
At the end of their discussions, the teams presented their conclusions.
It was agreed that the biggest issues facing Kempton included drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, armed robberies and aggravated crimes.
Some of these crimes, like drugs, prostitution and human trafficking, are interlinked.
A big issue with regard to human trafficking, according to Kempton Park CPF chairperson Luthando Lubando, is social media.
“Those involved in the trade use platforms such as Facebook to lure their victims by ‘cat fishing’, especially targeting young kids,” Lubando said.
A ‘catfish’ is a person who creates a false online identity in order to trick others into believing they are somebody else.
“As parents it is vital that we start restricting social media access for our kids. You’d be surprised at what you could find when you go through a child’s cellphone,” Lubando continued.
He concluded it was important to educate children and make them aware of what is out there and the dangerous ways in which human traffickers try to lure kids into the trade.
“We need to teach our kids that there is no such thing as a free lunch. No one will buy you lunch without wanting something in return,” he said.
Another group making a presentation argued that the police also need to be more accountable with regard to such cases opened at police stations. The group concluded there should be better investigation and feedback with regard to these cases.
“In many instances it seems like dockets are just dropped,” Gary Walker, chairperson of Sector 2 CPF, said.
Walker also said the CPF needed to be more proactive.
“There is a huge lack of knowledge regarding human trafficking. The Ekurhuleni Crime Unit has offered to train CPF members on human trafficking for free.”
With regards to youth and drugs, some of the youth present said drugs were easily available to them, even at schools.
A mother who was presenting on behalf of one of the commissions said the young people who were part of the commission said that drug dealers targeted young kids at schools and on the street.
“The youngsters even said they felt not enough drug searches were conducted at schools. So perhaps that should be an option schools should consider,” the woman said.
Lubabalo, who had also spoken about drugs and kids during his presentation, added that drugs and alcohol education started at home.
“Parents and families should educate their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how to avoid falling victim to those selling the substances to the youth,” the chairperson said.
With regard to violence against women and children, there was a general consensus that victims of crime did not report these violations, because most perpetrators were people they knew or those they relied on financially.
Especially with domestic violence, it was said, women usually feel too ashamed to talk about it.
“From the community’s side, that’s why it is so important to know your neighbour, build a relationship with them and therefore give them a platform where they can be comfortable. As neighbours, when we see something fishy is going on, we tend to ignore it and not want to interfere,” the spokesperson of one of the groups said.
It was also concluded that more crisis centres were needed where there were professionally trained staff to deal with such cases, so that victims could be handled with sensitivity.
The main issues found to be the cause of robberies and aggravated crimes included poverty, lack of police visibility as well as lack of awareness from the community with regard to things they could do to lessen their chances of being victims of crime.
“The solution to these problems,” Lubando continued, “is that people need employment. The government and private sectors need to come together to create more jobs for people.”
Lubando also said that programmes educating residents on how to be safe were vital. Initiatives such as residents’ associations and know-your-neighbour campaigns are imperative as these help residents to know who is living around them.
Another group advised that people should be careful about putting themselves into vulnerable situations, so as not to ‘create’ an opportunity for criminals.
For example, leaving gates open or chatting on your cellphone while outside in the driveway are great opportunities for criminals.
The purpose of this summit, according to Kempton police spokesperson, Capt Jethro Msthali, is to create a platform where the community, police and other crime-fighting stakeholders can communicate and create a partnership.
“It is also an opportunity for the police to know the community’s needs so we can focus on those and improve our services accordingly. In the same breath, the community will also know what role they can play in fighting crime,” Mtshali said.
