Ngwelezana community demands better police service
March against crime on Human Rights Day
TRAFFIC came to a virtual standstill in Ngwelezana on Tuesday (Human Rights Day), when hundreds of community members took to the street in protest against rampant crime in Ngwelezana and surrounding areas.
Under the theme ‘Crime affects our Basic Human Rights,’ the march was aimed to highlight serious criminal cases such as murder, car hijackings, rape and livestock theft.
Addressing a strong crowd of young people, church leaders and representatives of the business community, local ANC leader Dr Mfowethu Zungu said they saw it fit to use Human Rights Day to communicate in a united voice that crime was a gross infringement of ‘our basic human rights’.
‘We feel that our rights to human dignity, equality before the law, to life, freedom of movement, security and safety are being violated and trampled upon by criminals while crime control systems appear to be found wanting.
‘While we are not happy with the crime rate in our area, we are mindful of the fact that the root of the problem is this satellite police station we are gathered in today,’ Zungu said.
‘It was established more than three decades ago when Ngwelezana was a small township, but now Ngwelezana has grown by more than 300 percent, making it impossible for the station to effectively control crime.’
Resources
Zungu said there was also concern about the inequalities with regard to the distribution of resources.
‘Our view is that the resources you have are not equitably spread between us and people residing in urban areas.
‘The urban neighbourhoods have the benefit of patrol vans patrolling their area. This hardly happens in our poor communities who can’t afford to hire private security companies, alarm systems and security cameras,’ he said.
Growing community mistrust of the police was another concern, since residents don’t report certain criminal violations to the police in the belief that nothing will be done.
‘We have a list of case numbers where complainants have never received any updates. In Madlebe Road alone, an old granny was attacked inside her house, raped and brutally killed, but up to today there has been no arrest.’
Zungu said communication between investigating officers and victims need to be improved.
‘When suspects are applying for bail, victims are kept in the dark. The next thing the victim will see is a suspect loitering around the streets. This must stop.’
He claimed police were also turning a blind eye to drugs being sold openly in public at the Ngwelezana Shopping Centre.
A memorandum of grievances was handed over to Acting Station Commander Col Samkeliswe Fakazi, demanding action within 14 days.
‘We will forward this memorandum to the relevant authorities. We also want to assure you that we remain committed to do everything in our power to make you feel safe in your areas day and night,’ Fakazi said in response.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
