Police minister summoned to imbizo

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20

2015 THE RISE in crime and lack of policing has seen residents of Samora Machel, near Philippi, calling an imbizo so that Police Minister Nathi Nhleko can listen to their concerns.

The area’s Community Police Forum (CPF) said after a spike in crime, the ministry visited the community and promised that a satellite police station would be established.

The CPF’s Bongani Maqungwana said there’s been an upsurge of crime in the area.

“It doesn’t help that we have to report to Nyanga police station because it is far from our area. And it is under-resourced to deal with all the areas it’s supposed to be policing.”

The community is complaining that whenever they report crimes, the response time is always very slow, he said.

The deputy minister of police, Maggie Sotyu, promised a satellite station in the area when she addressed residents at an imbizo in Nyanga last month.

Resident Zandiswa Rigala said crime had risen and nothing was being done to combat it.

“We would love to have our own police station because police only come after people have died, when they could prevent a lot of deaths. We are hoping the minister will come on Saturday (tomorrow) and listen to our complaints – otherwise we’ll decide on what to do next.”

Maqungwana said: “The community is angry because people are dying. We don’t want a situation like Masiphumelele, where the community takes the law into their hands.

“Which is why we invited the minister to our imbizo.”

Nhleko’s spokesman, Musa Zondi, said he was not aware that the minister was invited to attend the imbizo tomorrow.

“However, Maqungwana said they have proof that they sent an invitation on November 10.

Sotyu’s spokeswoman, Nomsa Hani, said: “After the deputy minister visited the area, and crime hot spots were identified, she decided to cluster all the hot spots.

“Six more mobile police stations will be delivered next year.”