Walmer community project to fight crime

A THREE-pronged partnership to fight rampant crime in Walmer Township was launched yesterday.

Residents, in partnership with NMMU and provincial police, have set up a community crime forum as part of a three-year project aimed at reducing the high crime rate in the area.

Youth leader and forum organiser Mthuthuzeli Hombile said the community was tired of dealing with crime and ineffective police patrolling.

Hombile said NMMU’s engagement advancement fund donated R50 000 to kick-start the project.

“I decided to seek help from outside stakeholders and urged community members to deal with this crisis,” Hombile said.

“NMMU and the SAPS both pledged to come on board to help us come up with effective strategies in dealing with crime in the area.

“This project is driven by the community and we are in charge of the process and implementation, but we are very thankful we have these stakeholders to guide us.”

NMMU’s engagement office director Professor George de Lange said they would extend assistance in the form of expertise.

“The university provided seed funding mainly, but with its networks [it] will provide funding proposals and also try and garner assistance from other organisations,” he said.

“We are here to bring expertise, support and capacity building.”

Captain Bangeli Mnyamakazi, of the Walmer police station, said: “Residents put their concept on the table. We told them we’d support them. We want to look at the practicality of their ideas and then roll out support.”