Wanted: a clear safety and security plan for E Cape

How many officers will be deployed as part of the festive safety plan and which areas will be prioritised?

The Eastern Cape has a less than stellar reputation when it comes to safety and security. Three months ago, the Dispatch reported that the province had the highest murder rate per capita. More recently, Mthatha featured in the top three police stations in SA with the highest number of rape cases.

East London placed second in SA for burglaries from nonresidential premises, with a staggering 288% increase in incidents.

The illegal scrap metal trade, which is a nationwide concern, was listed as one of the main contributing factors to the spike.

With the holiday season almost upon us, and criminals on the prowl for easy targets, we need to be confident that our law enforcement agencies are doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of residents and holidaymakers.

Under the theme “more boots on the ground”, the provincial police launched their festive safety plan on Monday, with commissioner Lt-gen Nomthetheleli Mene presenting 32 new vehicles to four policing districts.

Commitments were made by various stakeholders that safety would be prioritised, but what exactly was meant by “more boots on the ground”?

How many officers will be deployed as part of the festive safety plan and which areas will be prioritised?

Will efforts be dedicated towards ensuring the safety of long-distance buses and the passengers they transport?

These were just some of the questions asked by the Dispatch after the launch. Unfortunately, the responses received were vague.

The department of community safety sidestepped questions around the safety of long-distance buses, a concern as the province is expecting an influx of visitors and those returning to their home province for the holidays.

Bus company Intercape was forced to turn to courts earlier this year after being subjected to intimidation and violence by elements in the taxi industry.

In October, Judge John Smith directed MEC Xolile Nqatha and transport minister Fikile Mbalula to provide an action plan to address the ongoing violence and intimidation.

That Intercape had to go to court to force an intervention by law enforcement, which should have been part of the normal execution of the duties of police and traffic authorities, is shocking.

With these disturbing incidents and the crime stats hanging like a dark cloud over the province, we cannot skirt around the issue of safety.

We need a clear plan on how law enforcement authorities intend safeguarding our communities and infrastructure.