Police and municipality join forces to fight crime in Estcourt

It was said at the meeting that poor law enforcement has led to people taking matters into their own hands through revenge killings and vigilantism

October 31, 2024

Estcourt News 1 minute read

Major General Gonya at the meeting with the municipality.

Stakeholders attending the recent Special Joint Operation sitting agreed that they should all work together to deal with the scourge of crime in Estcourt. Present at the sitting in council chambers were new Uthukela cluster commander Major General Gonya, the municipality and the SAPS.

Gonya was officially introduced to the municipality, saying that ward councillors also have a pivotal role to play in fighting crime; it’s not only in the hands of the police.

This meeting follows the mass shooting in the Nyezane area of Loskop on Sunday (October 27), where five people were killed. It was said that this type of incident gives Estcourt a bad reputation in terms of safety.

According to a statement released by the municipality, Estcourt is listed second in terms of the crime rate within the district. Ladysmith is in the lead, with Estcourt in second place.

Mayor Mduduzi Myeza acknowledged and welcomed Gonya, pledging to work closely with law enforcement together with ward councillors. Myeza applauded Gonya for ‘swiftly catching the five suspects who are linked to the mass shooting in Loskop on Sunday’, saying it is commendable to learn that all five suspects are in custody.