EFF calls on police to do more to fight crime in city

EFF members picketed outside the Sunnyside police station on Tuesday, demanding the police in Pretoria intensify their fight against crime – especially gender-based violence (GBV) and murders.

“We are fed up with the spike in hijacking, robberies and killings in the City of Tshwane,” EFF ward 81 secretary Bianca Nkosi said reading from a memorandum.

Nkosi said residents were living in fear since more than 10 people were murdered every day in the city.

“We are living in a forgotten place, safety in the cross-border parts of the City of Tshwane remains a dream we wish for.

“Tshwane is a notorious place whereby crime syndicates attack and rob residents of their valuables.”

She said women and children were “under siege from men who believed that they can do as they wish to women’s bodies”.

“They do this because they know that chances of them getting arrested and prosecuted for committing this heinous crime are very minute.”

Nkosi said they repeatedly bemoaned the fact that the number of rapes was not matched by the number of arrests in the country, least of all, the number of convictions.

The EFF demanded that the police give all cases the urgency they deserve.

Nkosi said they wanted a way forward on the criminal syndicates hijacking construction projects and demanding a 30% share that does not uplift community members.

“We want all projects to benefit communities and not gangs.”

Regarding GBV, the EFF demanded that all police and satellite stations stock a sufficient supply of rape kits and that GBV cases be prioritised.

The political party added that the police should immediately take action after a case is reported to them.

“Police officers should be trained on how to handle matters related to GBV,” she added. They also called on the police management to take a zero tolerance approach to police officers ill-treating victims.

“We demand the victims be assisted in a victim-friendly or alternative room, where a statement would be taken in private and victims be provided support services. We call for victims of GBV to be treated with dignity, confidentially and be interviewed by trained police officers in a sensitive manner.”

Nkosi said victims should be referred or taken for a medical examination for medical evidence to be collected and a healthcare professional to complete a medical report, including seeing to the health of the victim.

The party demanded that GBV investigations be conducted by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigation Unit or detectives with relevant training.

The EFF demanded that families of victims be given the necessary support, provided proactively and they must continuously get feedback on the progress of their case.

“We are tired of having our concerns ignored. We are tired of the lack of transparency that prevents us as residents from feeling protected. We want responsive, well-considered, well-informed answers that address the issues raised in this memorandum.”

Sunnyside spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela commended the protesters for visiting the Sunnyside police station to raise their issues.

He said it was a step in the right direction as the visit served as the platform for the police and community members to begin working together.

“To us (the police), your visit says we are not alone because we have residents out there who are aware of and share similar problems,” Captain Mavimbela said.

He said the police did not view the protest as an attack.

“We will look at your demands and provide a proper response within seven days.”

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