Masoyi community protests against killing of children
This march was triggered by the recent abduction and killing of six-year-old Bontle Mashiyane and the killing of an 18-year-old learner, Lunga Dube, in this policing area.
Following the recent spate of child abductions and killings, community members in the Masoyi policing area, have given the local police station seven days to get their act together and work harder towards creating safer and peaceful communities.
A handful of community members from various communities within the White-Hazy area marched to the Masoyi Police Station, demanding better and improved services in the fight against crime.
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Bontle’s body was discovered mutilated just metres away from her home after she had gone missing for over 20 days. The police have since arrested five people linked to her abduction and murder case.
They appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody. Their matter will be heard again on June 29 in the Masoyi Periodical Court. “Our hearts are still sore, following the killing of a little child. We have decided to come together in this fashion and voice our concerns and grievances to the police, because it is clear that crime is forever on the rise in this area,” said Vusi Dube, a community leader who led the peaceful protest. In the list of their grievances, the community demanded a 24-hour police visibility.
“We have since realised that if we do not stand up and do something and fight this crime, criminals will take over our area and terrorise our women and children. It is an open secret that crime is rife in this area and it is now getting out of hand. We also want the police commissioner and the police minister to consider deploying more officers to the area,” said Dube.
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He said they were concerned and worried that children and women are being targeted for body parts and muti purposes. “Our children and women are no longer safe. We want this police station to work for us and we want to feel safe knowing that the police are there for the communities. Our children should go to schools freely and our mothers should be able to go to work without fearing for their lives,” Dube said.
