By Kopano Dibakwane
In response to high levels of crime in Marite- Bushbuckridge, the MEC for the department of community safety, security and liaison (DCSSL)-Vusi Shongwe, Mpumalanga provincial police commisioner-lieutenant general Semakaleng Manamela and other members of the security cluster, will host an Imbizo on Saturday to source the input of community members on how to reinforce law and order in the area.
Shongwe held a build-up meeting to the Imbizo on Tuesday, alongside various stakeholders including local police, taxi industry, community representatives, traditional leadership and other interested community groupings, whereby crimes such as murder, business and house robberies were singled out as being too high.
It was also reported by the police, during the build-up meeting, that kidnappings of people who have received large sums of money from the Road Accident Fund(RAF), inheritance and retirement payouts, are targeted by criminals.
It is reported that once the victims are captured, they are kept for days, so that they can empty their banks while in captivity.
The meeting also heard that businesses owned by foreign nationals are often targeted by heavily armed criminals, who use explosives in order to get what they want.
Some residents reportedly complained about their lack of trust towards the police. They alleged that some police officers collude with criminals and they also compromise information about crime suspects, provided by community members.
” Proliferation of drugs and illegal firearms also came under a sharp focus. Marite is also renowned for violent service delivery protests, which lead to the closure of the R40 road, frustrating trucking companies and motorists who travel between Limpopo, Mpumalanga and neighbouring countries,” said DCSSL in a statement.
DCSSL said that a plan will be developed to address issues raised, including matters that were discussed during the build-up meeting.
