Stakeholders discuss contingency plan for Ermelo to avoid lawlessness

The Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum convened a meeting on July 14 with several parties of interest to discuss a contingency plan for Ermelo to avoid similar events to those occurring in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, from unfolding here.

Significant role-players such as Ermelo police’s station commander, Col Sdumo Ngcobo, Mr Jaco Johnstone, fire chief of the Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services, and AfriForum’s provincial security coordinator for Mpumalanga, Bronwen Pretorius, shared valuable insights.

Also in attendance were representatives from local businesses, security firms, the taxi association, neighbourhood watches, the sector police, the Transvaal Landbou Unie as well as farmers.

Col Ngcobo emphasized the seriousness of the matter by saying, “We are in a war, if this continues beyond a week, we’ll no longer exist.” He, however, settled the attendees’ apprehensions by following this up with, “What happened in Johannesburg and Durban, will not happen here while we exist. A proactive approach is what’s necessary to ensure it doesn’t.”

He, therefore, urged residents and business owners to be vigilant and encouraged them to also have their own contingency plans in place.

He said that even though there might be additional expenses in taking precautionary measures, something as simple as hiring a security guard to observe and collect information might be crucial in aiding police’s efforts.

According to him, these criminals are opportunistic yet strategic, but as soon as they are faced with resistance, the risk for them becomes higher than the reward.

He stated police will with new vigor be enforcing curfews.

“The curfew will help us surveil the movement of people. If you are not in your house during a curfew, you will be arrested,” he warned.

He asked attendees to assist police by backing them up, but being mindful to act within the framework of the law.

“It is your constitutional right to protect your life and the life of your loved ones, please note, however, that theft of property without a threat to your life does not constitute you using deadly force.”

He also said that people whose lives were threatened and reacted with force should note that for all murders committed, whether justified or not, cases are opened and investigated.

In conclusion, he said, “The people who will destroy Ermelo are the people who will stand by and allow Ermelo to be destroyed. Let us declare that we will not allow this to happen here.”