THE battle against crime will never be won if communities continue to be spectators instead of partakers.
This was the sentiment of Lt Colonel Bongani Zondo of the Empangeni police, addressing a Ward 27 community meeting in Ngwelezana on Sunday.
He appealed to community members to speak out against crime, because most perpetrators were known in the community.
‘We need you to partner with us in the battle against crime. If you claim to be concerned about crime, you will meet us halfway.
‘The police are playing their part, but this initiative must be a collective effort by all stakeholders. All of us are directly and indirectly affected by crime,’ he said.
Zondo said he was disturbed by the increase in criminal activities such as car hijackings, housebreaking and business robbery in Ngwelezana and surrounding areas.
‘I want to encourage you to organise yourselves as street committees and neighbourhood watches, so as to close the space for criminals in your area.
‘I’m happy that you have taken the first step by forming a local Community Policing Forum in Ward 27. This forum will help us a great deal in serving as a link between the community and the police,’ he said.
The meeting was also attended by Ward 27 Councillor Simphiwe Mzimela and officials of the uMhlathuze Municipality.
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