LIMPOPO – Residents of Manavhela in the Kutama area are increasingly frustrated with the rising levels of crime in their community and have threatened to take the law into their own hands to address the issue.

Chief Nkhangweni Manavhela said the area has become one of the worst crime zones in the district, with a gang called Zikhaya, terrorising villagers.

“We need to put our heads together and come up with strategies to fight crime. Our area has become dangerous to live in. It feels like we are in our own prison where we cannot move freely,” he said.

Manavhela noted that much of the crime occurs when villagers return home in the early morning hours from taverns. He urged tavern owners to comply with legislation and close on time.

He mentioned numerous break-ins and even some murders that have occurred in the area.

Manavhela called on all community members to speak out against criminality.

“Criminals live among us in the village, and it is up to us to expose them and root them out,” he said.

The station commissioner at the Tshilwavhusiku SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Tshililo Mukoma, warned residents not to take the law into their own hands but to work with the police to apprehend criminals.

He emphasised that the police would spare no effort in the fight against crime.

“We will collaborate with community members, civic organisations, and other stakeholders until we defeat crime. We will act on the information and hope for positive outcomes,” he said.

Mukoma also addressed cases where tavern owners did not comply with regulations.

“Police issue summonses to tavern owners who fail to comply with regulations. If they receive more than three summonses, the matter is referred to the Liquor Board,” Mukoma explained.