Safer city summit addresses crime trends

During the Safer City Summit Polokwane launch at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, it was highlighted that a majority of rental rooms in the city have been turned into hiding places for criminals.
This was said by the acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Lesiba Mashilo, who emphasised that rental houses were constructed with good intentions but criminals use the properties as hiding spots. He stated that most of the offenders in Polokwane are housed in rental houses that are meant to accommodate students. Mashilo stressed that the Police were on a mission to create an environment that is safe and secure for residents. Mashilo emphasised that the gathering was aimed to address crime trends that included alcohol and substances abuse, mushrooming of drugs, gender-based violence, prostitution and human trafficking, contravention of public space and municipal by-laws and targeting of personal and property safety.
He outlined some of the crimes that are experienced in the province as sexual offences, robbery, house breaking and car theft. According to him, people who commit the aforementioned crimes are often not in their right senses. He added that criminals consume toxic substances such as drugs and alcohol to be merciless when attacking their victims.
The summit was hosted by the provincial Police in collaboration with several external stakeholders such as private security companies, Polokwane Municipality, Community Police Forums and government departments. The session was characterised by a variety of activities including the participants going into commissions to discuss the topics to assist in forming a strategy that would be implementable to combat crime in Limpopo.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za