• Thabile Mange writes:

Last week, the police minister Bheki Cele released crime statistics, according to which Kagiso on the West Rand is a crime-ridden area. In addition, social cohesion is also lacking there.

However, that is not a true reflection of Kagiso (meaning peace). I should know, I’m a loyal resident of the township. Contrary to the crime statistics, Kagiso is peaceful, resembling its name.

Here is the problem: the crime statistics have mistaken Kagiso for Tshepisong, which is a cardinal mistake. These are two different areas, based in different regions.

Let me explain. Kagiso falls under Mogale City, and Tshepisong falls under the City of Johannesburg. In other words, they are serviced by different municipalities – and have different mayors.

The pertinent question is: why are the two areas mixed up? Demarcation. Whilst Tshepisong falls under the City of Johannesburg, residents there report crime at the Kagiso Police Station. I’m not sure why. It is probably because of proximity.

Last year, a man from Tshepisong mowed down innocent people with a gun. He killed about seven people who were attending a wedding in Tshepisong. He was caught by the Kagiso Police.

Now when the matter was reported in the media, it was said the terrible incident happened in Kagiso. Yet it occurred in Tshepisong. Now the world thinks Kagiso is a dangerous area.

It’s sad that the crime statistics suggest that Kagiso is a haven from criminals. It’s not. Tshepisong is. The latter’s crime statistics are recorded by the Kagiso Police Station.

The above needs to be corrected. Accurate information should be conveyed to the nation. It is wrong and criminal to present wrong statistics. Tshepisong is not Kagiso – and vice versa.