Nyanga police are pulling all the stops to build trust with the local community and fight crime in the neighbourhood.
On Saturday 25 February, officers met with different stakeholders including the Crossroads Community Policing Forum (CPF), traditional healers, local teachers, health practitioners, business people and neighbourhood watch members at Imbasa Primary School to listen to some community concerns.
Nyanga Police Station Sector 2 Manager Const Zizo Tshambu described the meeting as means to come up with crime-fighting tactics in the area.
She mentioned robberies, carjacking and murder as some of the dominant crimes.
“We came to the meeting to listen to the community’s concerns to find ways how to deal with some of the problems. We believe it is not only the police’s responsibility to deal with crime but the community as a whole. And by having such meetings we aim to build trust between the police and the community. We also encouraged the community to work with us,” she said, urging residents to act against any suspicious activities in their areas.
Ward 36 councillor Nceba Ntshweza stated that the criminals targeted the marketplaces. He also blamed learners who carry weapons and drugs to school.
Ntshweza identified Unathi, Boystown, Phase 1, Philippi Plazza and the corner of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki roads as some of the hotspots.
He urged the community to be vigilant.
“We want to forge a strong unity with the police. We believe that if we can work with them, we can minimise crime in the area. Let’s reclaim our streets from the criminals,” said Ntshweza.
According to him, people who commit crimes are between the ages of 15 and 23.
Crossroads CPF chair Sithembele Nonkelele said they hope to create an environment that is conducive to the well-being of everyone.
He said they plan to conduct programmes to create awareness.
“The main purpose of the meeting was to engage as stakeholders to take a firm stance that crime cannot be a norm. We need to have street Imbizo where we are creating awareness and engaging young people,” said Nonkelele.
