“Our people did not vote for democracy to be killed,” declared Nyanga Cluster chair Martin Makasi during a special prayer service against crime, a chilling reminder to the government and politicians about a less-than-ideal scenario plaguing the country.
A visibly annoyed Makasi told a packed gathering at the KTC Community Hall on Sunday 15 October that he is concerned about the number of firearms and live ammunition on the streets. He stated the escalating shooting incidents in local communities is worrisome.
“Who is providing these perpetrators with firearms? Who is benefiting from the killings of our people?”
Makasi implored the government clampdown on criminals tormenting the community of the greater Nyanga area.
The meeting was organised by the Gugulethu Community Policing Forum (CPF) and some church leaders to galvanise the society against crime and to seek a divine intervention.
Makasi said they also wanted to introduce the acting Gugulethu Police Station commander Col Cyril Nkuna. He was deployed to the station early this month, taking over from Brig Nokuzola Pete.
Makasi said due to the ongoing onslaught of people and bloodbath in the townships they saw a need for a spiritual intervention. He appealed to the church leaders to intervene and pray for the communities.
Makasi stated that they are living in fear because of the criminals. “Let’s work together as a community. Let’s stop bickering. There are things that one can say about the officers as much as there are things that I can say about us as the community. But let’s put all those things aside and work as a unity.”
Ward 38 councillor Suzanne Zumana begged for more police visibility. She appealed to the community not to underestimate the job that has been done by the neighbourhood watch (NHW) and CPF members.
“If someone is getting robbed of his or her belongings and he sees the NWH or CPF members, they must report to them quickly. If they can’t catch the perpetrator they will inform the officers and the police van will come. CPF and NHW members are working with the officers.”
Zumana said there was a need for a special prayer to console the community, describing KTC as a red zone. Nkuna assured the community there’d be more boots on the ground, thanks to community assistance.