Thembeni imbizo exposes troubling crime issues

KwaDukuza faces huge crime challenges, especially relating to armed robberies, illegal guns and drug dealing.

These issues were raised during the recent crime imbizo held at the Thembeni sports field on Friday.

KwaDukuza police spokesperson, Constable Siphesihle Myeni, said Ntshawini, Melville, and Thembeni are the robbery hotspots.

Shops owned by foreign nationals experience the most robberies.

“The truth is, gang members are caught by the police, but they often get released on bail and continue committing crimes.

“They might get arrested again, but then witnesses often don’t want to testify when the case goes to court. We have a serious problem because residents don’t help the police,” said Myeni.

On Monday, Myeni told the Courier blank guns are also increasingly being used.

“Usually, when the police arrest suspects in armed robberies, they find illegal guns, but in most cases also blank guns that are easy to buy.”

Another problem identified at the imbizo attended by deputy provincial commissioner, Major-General Phumelele Makhoba, and cluster commander Major General Anthony Gopaul, was the lack of police resources.

Recent crime statistics listed KwaDukuza Saps among the 30 worst-performing police stations in the country in various categories.

During the meeting, people talked about police officers who shirk their duties.

While praising the committed officers, the perception among community members was that there are more lazy and corrupt officers than hardworking ones.

Groutville resident Themba Mbatha said police officers often use unroadworthy vehicles without spare tyres, and he was disillusioned about how they do their jobs.

He said drug dealing and abuse is a big problem in KwaDukuza, but the police are seemingly incapable of addressing the issue.

Sibusiso Ntuli of Ntshawini accused some police officers of working with the drug dealers, which makes it dangerous for residents who want to report crime.

He suggested police officers should be moved around to different areas to remedy this problem.

Major-General Makhoba said the public should inform station commander Brigadier Sibongile Mhlongo when they are mistreated by the police. They could also talk to higher ranking officers if need be.

She added people should never pay detectives to work on their cases and should report incidents when payment demands are made.

Makhoba promised that the problems raised by the public would receive attention, either by the cluster commander or the station commander.

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