Msunduza community police grateful for sponsorship
MBABANE – Dare at your own risk to come to Msunduza to commit crime. This sentiment has been shared by the Msunduza community police through their Public Relations Officer (PRO), David ‘Var Lichawe’ Ndwandwe.
This follows the shooting by the police of a robbery suspect in the area.
The man who was identified as ‘Chillies’, survived the shooting and was confirmed to have been successfully apprehended near the Msunduza Market following his elusiveness and resistance.
The unit has had to sweep the community and combat crime, a move that has been recognised by the community, including the businesses that operate in the area.
Among these businesses is Solanis Pub, which has been given credit for sponsoring the fight against crime in the area.
RECLAIM
About 30 members of the Msunduza community police said they were elated that their frantic efforts to reclaim the area from criminal tendencies have seen businesses sponsoring them.
Some of the work that is done by the Msunduza community police, includes conducting daring patrols that have led to the collection of deadly weapons.
According to Msunduza community police PRO Ndwandwe, so far Solanis, Rahat Investments, and The Garage Bar have sponsored the unit.
Ndwandwe said Solanis donated 30 reflector jackets, while Rahat Investments added 22 more reflectors as well as 30 torches for the night patrols. The Garage Bar donated 10 sjamboks .
Ndwandwe appealed for more financial assistance to the community of Msunduza and said that the unit needed much support as it was not a profit making organisation.
VOLUNTEERING
He also attributed the financial assistance to the continuous zeal that is shown by the volunteering members of the crime stop unit, adding that they have been able to take from the possession of their owners very dangerous weapons.
Among these weapons were machetes, bush knives, sharp objects and knives.
Ndwandwe said the unit needs to procure more visibility merchandise, uniforms and other essentials that will enable them to continue maintaining a crime-free neighbourhood.
According to Ndwandwe, while community police have been present over the years, they made sure to re-introduce a reformed unit at Msunduza that would target reducing the crime rate to almost zero.
He also alluded to the fact that Msunduza has been known as one of the most notorious places in the country and has been seen to be showing signs of being swamped by crimes.
Among the types of crimes, Ndwandwe said, were gang members who were terrorising the neighbourhood and weapon-carrying individuals who target other people who walk at night and in awkward hours.
Ndwandwe said he decided to join and volunteer in the unit after he himself became a victim of crime.
He said unknown thieves broke into his home while he was asleep and took his construction working tools
He also said there have been reports of laundry stolen from the hangers and people being mugged for their cellphones and money.
REFORMED
Ndwandwe said the unit was reformed after the civil unrest in -une 2021, where there was looting and the burning of at least one shop.
³After the unrest, the 2000s even vowed that it was their time to terrorise the neighbourhood gangs. :e could not take it anymore hence, we volunteered and reformed the community policing forum to be what it is now,´ Ndwandwe said.
He said there are risks that go with the job. He said there are instances whereby the unit conducts joint operations with the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and other instances whereby they do the operations on their own. Ndwandwe said during the reform, the police were reTuested to sensitise them.
He also said they received and will continue to receive some training from the police on effective policing and how to apprehend criminals.
)urthermore, the unit was supported by the police with handcuffs.
Ndwandwe said that in their operations, they ensure that they alert the police when they are about to conduct their operations.
He also said they continue to liaise with the police by giving them updates when they have apprehended suspects and waiting for the police to come and take the suspects into custody.
COMPLEMENTED
Ndwandwe said they understood that their mandate was not similar to that of REPS but complemented each other.
:hen asked whether the unit was mandated to enforce minimum force like the police, Ndwandwe said repeat offenders were treated with minimum force. He said it was the community that recommended that such force be used with the aim of warning against crime.
He said the unit was all about reforming how community police were perceived.
³:e still commend REPS because they have always been there and are well appraised as to how the crime rate
has changed in the area,´ Ndwandwe said.
He said in the trainings they were reminded about adhering to human rights. Ndwandwe said the unit was then launched in 2022 with about 50 volunteers to cover the area in its entirety. Msunduza is made up of about five areas: Macobolwane, Mncitsini, Corporation, Mntulwini, Gobholo and Corinte. Ndwandwe said they take solace in the fact that the people are now safer than before.
He added that while there was no reward in the form of payment, it was good to hear community members commending the reduced crime rate.
³:e still work under trying conditions. )or instance, during the rains, we had our shoes damaged. It means replacing them through our own pockets because we do not have anyone supporting us.
³:e also continue to face risks. The only weapons we have are knobkerries. :e are not safe at all. :e only go into it with the purpose of eliminating crime,´ Ndwandwe said.
Ndwandwe said the sustainability of the unit was a challenge. He said it was a reality that they run short of working tools and that the donations come once in a while.
He appealed for the support of the community police, adding that they were not a profit-making organisation.
Ndwandwe said they are continuing to reform, including developing a strategic and resource mobilisation plan for the sustainability of the unit.