GA MADISENG- The Limpopo Provincial Government in partnership with the Department of Safety Security and Liaison hosted a 365 days of no violence against women, children and people with disabilities campaign. The event was organised at Nthame Primary School on March 11.
It was attended by Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM), local councillors, local chiefs’ members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), police officers and hundreds of locals from all corners of Tubatse.
Addressing the attendees on behalf of the provincial commisioner, Lt Gen Fanie Masemola , who failed to honour the event, Maj Genl Lesiba Mashilo told the crowd that the department’s core duty was to fight crime.
“We have to ensure there is harmony, and all the inhabitants of this country live in peace. We want to prevent crime and also maintain public order. We suggest the locals form street committees and community safety forum (CSF) and blow the whistle on criminal activities in this area.We learnt that this area is subjected to a lot of criminal activities and it is our duty to combat the crime scourge,” said Mashilo.
He also lambasted police officers who teased and laughed at men who opened abuse cases against their partners.
“Everyone has a right to open a case, those police officers that make fun of people that come to open criminal cases must be reported to their station commanders.”
The public was also given a chance to voice the concerns in their respective communities. Most attacked the municipality for its lack of service delivery and the police for being corrupt and for allegedly losing dockets.
“When we go to our police stations we are treated badly, at times the officers promise to send us case numbers, which they never do. We urge the police to ensure all taverns are closed before midnight. We are the victims of crime because of the tavern owners who operate 24 hours a day. We are told there are no cars when we report criminal activities,” said Mr Fish Mohlala of Riba Cross.
According to the police Riba Cross and Ga Madiseng communities are at the top list of the dangerous places in Tubatse. Nine rape cases were recently reported from the two communities.
Another community member single handedly attacked the municipal leaders labelling them “fat cats”. “Before they were appointed at GTM, they pretended like they care for us, now we don’t have basic services and they do not even come to the villages. They built lavish houses in town and have forgotten about us, they come here wearing expensive clothes, claiming they care.They just want to enrich themselves,” he said.
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