There may never be a solution to fighting crime in the country, for as long as there is a high unemployment rate nothing will change.
So said Khayelitsha residents at the launch of Nationwide Safer Festive Season Operations by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele at Khayelitsha Stadium on Friday 13 October.
Cele handed at least 36 vehicles over to the provincial police commander Lt Gen Thembekile Patekile during the event.
The aim was to intensify security in the province.
Resident Fezeka Funani of France informal settlement in Site B said all people need are jobs.
Funani said people become animals because they are hungry.
“It is not the first time Cele handed vehicles over in this stadium,” she said, “but still crime is escalating. The government must create jobs. People are stealing and robbing banks because they need money. We are hungry.”(“Cele launches season’s readiness plan,” City Vision, Thursday 28 October 2021).
Funani stressed she was not against Cele’s idea of handing over new vehicles.
The minister urged the officers to be hard on criminals. He stated that their obligation is to uphold and enforce the law.
“There are criminals who believe they are running the country. If they (criminals) want to co-govern this country they must first stand for election. We won’t allow them to terrorise our communities,” said Cele.
He cautioned the communities and urged them not to underestimate the officers.
Cele said he was disturbed by what he saw in the media, especially about the officer who was attacked after he had stopped a vehicle during a patrol at Eden Park in Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng on Thursday 12 October.
“When the officer stopped a suspicious-looking car and wanted to search it the community came out and attacked the officer on behalf of the criminal.
“But I’m glad five of them, including the driver, were arrested this morning (Friday 13 October). The community must stop hiding the criminals because tomorrow they will come to them.”
He urged shebeen owners to trade within the law.
Cele said the days of disregarding the law are numbered.
“To those who break the law, I want the officers to hit you hard. I don’t have human rights for criminals!”
National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola urged the community to work with the police in the fight against crime.
He lambasted residents who work with the gangs, which is a criminal offence. He vowed police officers will be robust during the festive season.
“We will ensure those who are coming into the country are safe and protected. We will strengthen our security at the borders to ensure those going out are not leaving with our stolen goods.
“Also, there will be a focus on firearms and liquor by ensuring that the people who are carrying legal firearms are those who have shebeens and taverns and are operating within the bylaws.”
National Community Policing Forum chair Frans Kgasago vowed to support men and women in blue in their quest to fight crime.
He said they will ensure in all the provinces criminal activity is a thing of the past.
“We appreciate that when the minister (Bheki Cele) presented his budget he gave us funds to ensure we have tools of our trade. We will work tirelessly to ensure our community is safe,” he concluded.