Crime must be reported, to help police

There is an interesting crime investigation channel on DSTV that shows how police catch criminals who think they have committed a “perfect crime”. In murder and house breaking, police rely on communities to find the culprits. They also look at the clues especially “who tends to benefit from the murder” either a spouse or beneficiary of benefits. An organised community can assist in fighting crime.
Two months ago, a lady was mugged on the main road to Charlottedale railway station and the mugger identified. The mugger cannot be arrested if the victim does not open a case with the police. I asked the councillor for the area where the victim lives for assistance. When I failed to get assistance, I wrote a detailed sms to the mayor to ask the ward councillor to get the lady to open a case. Two months have passed without any response.
How does SAPS know to patrol an area if statistics are not there because people do not report crime? It was after the death of Mr. Mbonambi that a community meeting was convened to discuss crime. It took a violent march in Etete and ward 10 residents living on the “Albert Luthuli Trust Land” for the council to address housing development in these two areas. Must we wait for an ugly scene before the state and community leaders wake up?
I suggested that a mass education drive be conducted in communities serviced by Charlottedale to educate our people about the importance of reporting crime. The reason why police patrol Umvoti Toll Plaza, Blythedale Beach, Stanger Manor is because statistics are derived from cases opened with SAPS.
SIYANDA MHLONGO
KwaDukuza