Commander had a sleepless night
Local police station boss urges community members to unite and report crimes within their area.
CLAU-CLAU – The increasing incidents of contact crime that are viewed to be a normal part of life in the area gives the station commander of KaBokweni Police Station, Col Ntombivelile Xhelithole sleepless nights.
Speaking to the residents on Saturday during the launch of Project Ngenelela at the community hall, Xhelithole indicated that it was about time for community members to unite and report criminals that were giving them a headache as they were still walking around freely. “This area is giving the station a huge problem. Rape and murder are a normal part of life nowadays and those cases are not even reported. It can send a wrong message to criminals that you are tolerant of their actions. Community members need to stop protecting them, especially parents. If your children are involved in crime, report them to the police,” said Xhelithole.
She went further and alluded that some local tavern owners contributed to crime statistics because they failed to comply with the Liquor Act.as some taverns still operated until 04:00. It’s totally wrong. This is a warning to those who are not complying with the Act and I urge you residents to report those owners,” she explained.
During the gathering, it was revealed that most victims of rape are young people.
Ms Licky Thusi of the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP), also confirmed the high rape statistics.” The incidence of rape is very high and that shows that there’s no peace in society and some of those people that raped children, are their relatives. Some are biological fathers and in most cases they don’t want to report the matter. We want unity against crime,“said Thusi.
One resident, Mr Ernest Makhubela who attended the gathering, told Mpumalanga News that not having street lights and bad roads in the area makes it easier for criminals to escape even if police try to arrest them. ”There are bad roads and darkness that makes it difficult for police to reach crime scenes on time and you can’t blame them,” said Makhubela.
