North residents vow to deal with criminals
Community members say they have lost confidence in the police as they fail to address the area’s drug problem.
Residents of Soshanguve Block IA have vowed to take the law into their own hands to stop the “crime that is out of hand”.
They said though the local CPF had helped the police to bring drug dealers to book “on a number of occasions” they still felt let down.
Resident Richard Marwala said he was disappointed with how the police operated.
“I opened a case but up to this far the police have reported nothing to me,” said Marwala.
He said the police failed to do their job and it was now up to residents to deal with criminals.
“Our youth are dying and in return, someone is making money out of the deaths. Some of the youth end up stealing from us in order to get these drugs. Our community is really not safe,” said Marwala.
A drug dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was easy to get away with the crime because the police were incompetent.
“I have been arrested more than twice but the police failed to link me to the crime,” he said.
“I only sell the drugs to those who want to buy. I force no one to buy.”
Community leader Mantu Mantu told Rekord the CPF had provided enough evidence on drug dealers but the police had failed to act.
“We don’t understand why a drug dealer the police caught red-handed was never arrested,” said Mantu. “It troubles me as a community leader that the police have turned away from protecting us.”
Rietgat police spokesperson Steven Maluleka said the police had a duty to protect the community.
“It does not matter how many times a person is seen committing a crime. The bottom line is when members of the community witness it, they should report it to the nearest police station,” said Maluleka.
“If any member of the community wishes to complain against the police, there is a channel to do so.”
ALSO READ:
https://rekordnorth.co.za/126534/north-residents-march-against-drugs/
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