Crime forum plans to restore safety, security to Mogale

IN LIGHT of the findings of the recently released Victims of Crime Survey issued for the 2015/16 financial year by Stats SA, South Africans in general feel unsafe and fear crime.

People are too scared to walk alone, both during the day and night and have expressed mistrust in law enforcement capabilities and the judicial process.

“It is imperative that initiatives such as the Mogale City Crime Forum (MCCF) not only restore faith in the police and courts, but also empower communities to take back their streets and suburbs from criminals,” said Gert Jonker, chairperson of the community police forum of Krugersdorp.

There is a civil society initiative comprising the office of the mayor of Mogale City, the West Rand Chamber of Business and Tourism, the community police forum Krugersdorp, the SAPS, other government departments, private security companies and non-governmental organisations.

The primary objective of the MCCF is to co-ordinate safety and security initiatives in Mogale City to ensure a safer community for its residents to live and work in, he said.

This month, the forum will hold a safety and security summit Media inquiries: Dr Fay Hodza, chairperson, MCCF – 073 177 6639 or (fay. hodza@monash.edu) Gert Jonker, chairman, CPF Krugersdorp – 082 900 7832 or (admin@childincrisis.org.za) at the Silverstar Casino complex in Mogale City from 8.30am until 2pm to address some of the findings of the Stats SA survey referred to.

Confirmed participants (speakers) at the summit include Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba, acting national police commissioner, Dr Rudolph Zinn of the School of Criminal Justice at Unisa, Dr Johan Burger, senior researcher – crime and justice programme of the Institute for Security Studies and Ian Cameron, head of community safety at AgriForum.

“More than 600 delegates from the business sector, government, NGOs, places of learning and faith-based communities will engage with the participants… We are looking forward to a new era of safety and security in Mogale City,” said Fay Hodza, chairperson of the MCCF.

Hodza urges residents and business owners from across Mogale City including Krugersdorp, Kagiso, Tarlton, Magaliesberg, Hekpoort and Muldersdrift to attend this summit.

Attendance should be confirmed with Sammy on 076 348 7842 or info@cpfsector4krugersdorp.org.za – Staff Reporter