Mayor and SAPS top brass thrash out ideas to address crime
Published: October 03, 2023<< BACK TO NEWS
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk had an urgent meeting with the regional top brass of the South African Police Services this morning to discuss the wave of murders in Gqeberha over the weekend.
At
least four people were murdered during the last 24 hours in alleged
gang-related incidents.
The
SAPS delegation, led by Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner Major General
Vuyisile Ncata, welcomed the frank discussions aimed at thrashing out a more
effective collaborative effort to address crime.
Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk said there are a
number of areas the municipality can bolster the work of the police to address
the scourge of violence.
"Besides
the obvious collaboration between SAPS and our Safety and Security law
enforcement, that includes the Metro Police Department, we can improve
conditions by simply providing basic services.
"The
repairing of streetlights in the gang-infested areas must be prioritized as
well as the enforcement of municipal by-laws at some of the properties
associated with gangs.
"One
of the most haunting issues emanating from the engagement, is the stoning of
police vehicles, sometimes resulting in injuries to police officers, by members
of the public, when action is taken against criminals.
"The
very same community indirectly endanger children and innocent bystanders during
the regular shooting sprees in our suburbs, by not allowing SAPS to do its job.
"We
agreed to increase resources and that planned operations will be carried out in
hotspot areas.
"In
addition, our Safer City initiative in collaboration with SAPS, private
security companies, community policing forums and business is taking shape as
well,” Mayor Van Niekerk said.
Deputy
Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and the Member of the Mayoral Committee for
Safety and Security Stag Mitchell also attended the meeting.
Ends
Issued
on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor by Media Management Officer
Kupido Baron (082 780 2726 / 041 506 1500 / kbaron@mandelametro.gov.za / @kupidobaron).
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