“No future for lazy and corrupt officers in SAPS”

Alarmed by the rise in criminal activities in the Musina policing area, the Minister of Safety and Security, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, discussed the situation with local communities at the Musina-Matswale sports grounds last Friday.

Numerous questions were asked in relation to crime and cases. Mthethwa acknowledged the dedicated and hardworking police officers who are doing their best to combat crime but lashed out at those who tarnish the image of the police services by involving themselves in criminal activities. “We have dedicated men and women in the police services who serve the community wholeheartedly, and we commend them for that. Those who are collaborating with criminals must know that their days in the police services are numbered.”

He says everyone deserves to live in peace and comfort and the community should never allow themselves to be terrorised by criminals. “Criminals have no room in our community and it is our joint effort to make sure that they are locked behind bars. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that we turn our habitat into a crime-free zone.”

He also emphasised that “lazy and corrupt police officers have no future in the South African Police Services. I want to appeal to all community members to forget their petty differences and join hands in the noble fight against crime. Crime prevention is not the responsibility of the police alone, therefore the communities should be involved,” he said.

He also encouraged the people to take part in community policing to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community, which is a critical factor in success against crime. “Let us join hands and declare Musina a crime-free area,” he said.

The chairperson of the Musina community forum, Mr Mashudu Ndou, said they were as worried as police about the drastic rise in crimes such as rape, theft and the smuggling of illegal cigarettes in the area. "The crime rate in our area is unacceptably high. We cannot allow our area to be ruled by criminals, and we know that, as the community alone, we can’t beat crime and we need the police to assist us,” Ndou said.

Ms Winnie Ramakokovhu said she had gained a lot from the meeting. “What happened today is a clear sign that the department is determined to root out crime. We wish this is done at regular intervals,” she said

Date:07 March 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Read: 1485