According to Margate police, as much as it needs the town to be safe for the community, it will not allow any unlawful activity.

Spokesperson for Margate Saps, Sibu Ncane said a meeting was held with relevant stakeholders to discuss ways to resolve the problem of ‘paras’ in Margate town.

He said there are many ‘paras’ in town and people expect the police to arrest them even though they have not done anything wrong.

“We have to arrest someone who has committed a crime.”

Ncane said there is an agreement with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) to help, especially at the Margate Taxi Rank because most of the crime occurs there.

Emoyeni Centre manager Mxolisi Jula said there is a huge difference since the clean up team started working last week.

“It was pension day on Tuesday this week, and these criminals usually attack the elderly to rob them. However, we did not get any reports of muggings, it means that this initiative is working.”

Jula said it is now safe to walk at the taxi rank.

He said not all the ‘paras’ have left, however, he hopes they will be gone soon.

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