Anderson Street was recently targeted for a criminal clean-up.
This was according to Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison
MEC Mr Vusi Shongwe.
Last Tuesday during a meeting between Shongwe and representatives of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and executive mayor of Mbombela Cllr Cathy Dlamini, he revealed that the existence of dilapidated buildings in Nelspruit’s central business district contributed to the increase of criminal activities.
According to Shongwe, this street that needed urgent attention from a law-enforcement perspective as it posed serious challenges to the maintenance of law and order due to some of the activities taking place there. He said these activities would soon besmirch the image of the capital city if drastic action was not taken.
Shongwe, who was also leading the discussions, said the existence of buildings which were no longer conducive for business, attracted mostly young people who later used the places to conduct illicit activities such as selling drugs and operating liquor shops that were not properly regulated.
“We have received a number of complaints about activities in this street.
“It is reported that there is prostitution, drug peddling, illegal operation of liquor outlets, shops and illicit street vendors. We want to clean this street because as it is denting the image of the city.”
“It is also alleged that some of the police officers are in collusion with criminals, who include foreign nationals, to conduct illegal activities such as selling of drugs,” he said.
Shongwe called on the Mbombela Municipality to do an audit and verify the owners of the buildings.
He also said there was a need to ensure compliance of businesses operating in the street to ensure that their activities were in line with granted permits.
Shongwe further asked it to ensure the existence of by-laws ready to assist officers to enforce the law.
Dlamini said the municipality was aware of the situation and had embarked on a number of initiatives to clean Mbombela but needed the assistance of the department and police.
“If this problem escalates, it will create a negative image of the city and that could deter prospective investors,” said Dlamini.
Last year Shongwe led a police raid in Anderson Street to clean up crime and had invited the media to cover the raid.
