Despite the chilly weather, scores of people from Khayalethu converged on the Desmond Tutu Hall in Makhaza on Sunday 4 June for a special gathering to pray for an end to all the social ills of the area.
It was organised by the Khayelitsha Religious and Interface Forum (KRIF) in conjunction with the police and the Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF).
Among other issues, those attending it prayed for an end to escalating crime, the rape and killing of women, drug and substance abuse as well as peace in Khayelitsha.
Speakers appealed for unity in the area. KRIF spokesperson and leader of Shield of Faith Empowerment Centre Prophet Zipho Silarha described the service as a special day. He begged the community and different stakeholders to unite to bring stability to the area.
“A hand cannot work alone. It needs another hand to function properly. No person can work alone. We need one another. An injury to one is an injury to all. The bad things happening in Khayelitsha need us to unite to confront them. The way the crime is increasing in Khayelitsha is worrisome.”
Silarha urged the community to stop bickering over minor things. He added Khayelitsha was well-known for bad things and called for change.
City of Cape Town District East Metropole District Commissioner Maj-Gen Vincent Beaton described crime levels in Khayelitsha as alarming. He stated, however, that the number of murder cases reported across the area decreased according to the latest quarterly crime stats.
The figures were released by Police Minister Bheki Cele last week.
According to the figures, Harare Police Station reported a drop of 18 cases. Between January and March 2023 it registered 41 cases compared to 59 during the same period last year.
Khayelitsha Police Station recorded a decrease of 13 cases, from 49 to 36 cases this year.
“What is shocking, though, is the increase in the number of cases of substance abuse reported. The officers need to monitor that and try to stop it. It is affecting our children and our homes.”
Between January and March 2023 Khayelitsha reported 304 cases, compared to 170 cases in January-March 2022, a 78,8% increase.
Beaton praised the KDF and councillors for their role in constructing Makhaza Police Station. Set to become a reality after many years, Beaton believes it will reinforce security in the area.
KDF deputy chair Nodumo Khuthuka agreed crime was rife in the area and appealed to community stakeholders to unite against it. She said community leaders faced a mammoth task to put Khayelitsha on the map.
“It is our mandate as community leaders to ensure our community is safe from crime, drugs and all the bad things that tarnish our area. We appeal to the community to work with us and the police.”