Media release

KwaMashu community commits to work together with government to fight crime

13 April 2016

13 April 2016

The fight against the proliferation of drugs and firearms in communities requires the combined effort of communities and law enforcement agencies. Communities are encouraged to report criminals in their midst instead of taking the law into their own hands as this will be seen as breaking the law.

These were some of the main messages at yesterday’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster imbizo in KwaMashu, north of Durban. Amongst the concerns raised by community members were police unresponsiveness, drug abuse and general lawlessness.
Deputy Chairperson of the JCPS Cluster, Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, accompanied by Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Michael Masutha, Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Thabang Makwetla held a community imbizo yesterday (12 April 2016) at KwaMashu Section C sports ground in KwaZulu-Natal . Also in attendance were senior government officials including National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams, the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube as well as Home Affairs Director General, Mkuseli Apleni.

The visit by the Cluster was held under the theme “taking government to the people”.  It is part of the JCPS Cluster programme of outreach visits to various communities across the country to strengthen partnerships with communities to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe.
“A continued partnership between the community and the law enforcement agencies will ensure success in the fight against crime,” said Minister Nhleko.
A number of suggestions for improving the fight against crime in the Inanda, Ntumuzuma and KwaMashu areas were made by community members. A concerned resident called on police to ensure that they take the necessary precautions to ensure that they do not fall prey to criminal elements when they go out on patrol. “The police station commander should make sure that all officers do not leave the station without their bullet proof vests, that they don’t confront dangerous criminals without calling for backup and that they should always have appropriate resources,” he told the packed imbizo.

The outreach event was preceded by a courtesy visit by Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior officials to the notorious KwaMashu Hostel where they conveyed their condolences on behalf of the Cluster and government to the families of five people who were killed over the weekend.

Enquiries:
Siphiwe Dlamini
083 645 4294

Issued by Government Communications and Information Systems

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