Crime clampdown in Mtubatuba

IN a bid to make Mtubatuba and surrounding suburbs and towns safer and more desirable locations for visitors, the police in conjunction with local security companies last week launched the Mtubatuba Security Forum.

The area attracts thousands of visitors daily, whether commuters, shoppers or tourists, especially to nearby St Lucia and Cape Vidal.

This in turn, attracts unsavoury characters with an agenda of committing crime.

According to the police, the number of loan sharks and money traders has increased.

‘With this influx, criminals are also attracted to the town with various crime modus operandi,’ said Mtubatuba SAPS Communications Officer, Captain Justice Hlabisa.

‘It is for this reason that in our action plan we included the formation of the safety forum for Mtubatuba.’

The forum’s first meeting was held at the police station last Friday, and was attended by 10 security company owners and supervisors, as well as by the traffic Chief Superintendent of Mtubatuba Municipality.

‘Matters discussed included the cooperation between police and security companies, cooperation among the security companies themselves, the formation of a Mtubatuba security WhatsApp group, the monitoring of alarm systems and video cameras, and banking and the escorting of cash.

‘The safekeeping of firearms, as well as police inspections of firearm licensing were also discussed.

‘We resolved to meet regularly, and to engage the local mayor and business community to advise them on some strategies to be applied in order to avoid becoming a victim of crime.’

Hlabisa said the most troubling cases within Mtubatuba CBD included business burglaries, theft of motor vehicles, fraud and general theft cases.