Top cop in Bay to bolster crime fighting efforts
A HIGH profile police delegation met with the Zululand business community on Friday to reinforce efforts to clamp down on the region's crime.
According to Police Minister General Bheki Cele, who led the delegation, specialised task teams are set to be beefed up and resources upscaled to bring stability to the region.
The meeting is a follow through after a Presidential Breakfast engagement with the Durban Business Chamber of Commerce and Industry two weeks ago, which was attended by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI), among other business leaders from across KZN.
Cele made good on his promise to meet with the Richards Bay business community following concerns around the attacks on business executives and crimes targeting this sector.
Addressing the media at the Bon Hotel Richards Bay on Friday, Cele confirmed that a fruitful engagement with SAPS, businesses and captains of industry had transpired.
''The president of ZCCI, Hlengiwe Mvubu had called on police to look into the safety threats and livelihood of business people in this region, and we looked at ways to address crime
concerns and stabilise the region as criminality cannot be tolerated," said Cele.
Crime curbing efforts bear fruit
"SAPS has had its eye on this area since 2021, with task teams set up.
''Police teams on the ground have opened 68 dockets and 43 accused have been charged on matters from murder, theft, possession of suspected property, unlawful possession, fraud, intimidation, extortion and kidnapping.
"A total of 47 cases are before the court and 202 weapons have been taken off the streets through work undertaken by specialised teams deployed in this area.
"Business and community members should operate without fear, and safety in the region remains high on SAPS' agenda.
"National intervention will see more funding for specialised teams to sweep away criminality and extra resources ploughed into the region.
"We believe if the community is safe, everyone else is safe. We are grateful for the contribution made by businesses working with police as we continue with collaborations," he said.
Mvubu welcomed the news of more task teams earmarked for Zululand, and for SAPS' commitment to this region and reaffirming their efforts to destabilise crime.
''We welcome the added resources that will be deployed to this region to combat crime, and we appreciate the SAPS' support since 2021 when ZCCI initiated and led engagements for interventions to address and curb crimes affecting businesses and local communities," said Mvubu.
RBM MD Werner Duvenhage added that since businesses called on police to intervene in 2021, crime in their organisation has been reduced by 58%, and criminal convictions have increased.''