The deputy minister of police, Dr Polly Boshielo, said communities are the cornerstone in the fight against crime and have a responsibility to ensure safety in their neighbourhoods.

She was addressing the community of Elukwatini during a crime prevention imbizo on Friday, September 26. The programme started at the Traditional Council, before moving to the taxi rank.

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Residents raised a number of concerns. Among the issues highlighted were the shortage of resources such as vehicles at police stations, the influx of illegal foreign nationals – believed to contribute to certain crimes – and stock theft, drug abuse and violence in schools.

Boshielo spoke about the devastating rise in rape and gender-based violence (GBV) cases and urged communities to take responsibility and expose perpetrators.

“These are people living in your communities. You know them, but you never report them to the police. The fight against crime is not the responsibility of the police or government alone. We need to come together, hold hands and say enough is enough,” she said.

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Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, added that the department will continue encouraging communities to participate in structures that support the fight against crime.

“The fight against crime and GBV is everyone’s responsibility. I’m glad that we started today’s programme at the Traditional Council and the taxi rank. The traditional leadership and taxi association are in support of our programmes, and they too will play their part,” he said.

The Imbizo was attended by the president of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, and members of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.