Democratic Alliance press statement by
Bosman Grobler MPL
DA Spokesperson on Community Safety and Security
Rural safety units a must in Mpumalanga
20 June 2016
Release: immediate
The need for rural safety units in Mpumalanga has once again been highlighted by the recent kidnapping and murder of a Mbombela resident. This follows a recent recovery of a man’s body that went missing in Malelane. In a separate incident, a 3 year old is still missing in Mgobodi, Nkomazi.
Safety in rural communities is a pressing issue that is of great concern to the DA. For a long time, the DA has been calling on Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe to deploy rural safety units in the province to curb the spate of violent crimes. MEC Shongwe can no longer turn a blind eye to criminals spreading fear among communities in the province who are vulnerable to criminal elements and are dependent on their own device to ensure their safety.
Although the DA welcomes the swift and efficient response by the SAPS to apprehend the suspects, lack of resources and specialised officers in the SAPS poses a huge challenge to deal with safety in rural areas.
An efficient police service plays an essential role in keeping citizens safe. Potential criminals must be deterred from committing crimes by the presence of active and visible police officers and by the knowledge that those who commit crimes will be caught and punished.
We need more trained police members. More police members will mean more police officers on the streets, more crime intelligence officers, and more detectives, all of whom are critical in bringing criminals to justice.
Like every resident of South Africa, the residents of Mpumalanga deserve to feel safe in their communities and cannot sit waiting for the day that they too will fall victim to violent crimes.
Establishments of specialised Police Rural Safety Unit is key, every South African deserves to live in a safe and secure environment, free from violence and fear.
The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families in this difficult time.
Media Enquiries:
Bosman Grobler
DA Spokesperson on Community Safety and Security
083 697 0747
Portia Adams
Communications Manager
082 319 6666
Dumisile Masuku
Media Officer
079 873 7590