Press Statement by Maureen Scheepers, DA Councillor in eMalahleni Local Municipality
DA in eMalahleni joins crime prevention stakeholders to fight crime on the ground
Crime in our communities is addressed when we work together
DA will remain active on the ground to ensure that our communities are safe.
The Democratic Alliance in eMalahleni welcomes the success of a mass crime prevention patrol that took place across the Witbank policing precinct.
This past weekend, our ward councillors joined members of the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW), Witbank SAPS, private security companies, neighbourhood watches, and other stakeholders in a coordinated effort to strengthen community safety and promote greater collaboration in the fight against crime.
The patrol provided an important platform for information sharing, engagement between stakeholders, and the identification of crime-related concerns affecting communities throughout the area.
It also created an opportunity for councillors to gain first-hand insight into the challenges faced by law enforcement and community safety structures on the ground, this included:
Abandoned and hijacked properties that are allegedly being occupied and used as bases for criminal activity in the surrounding neighbourhoods.Increasing drug abuse and the related petty crimes. Businesses operating outside the conditions of their permits, including tuckshops and shebeens that may not be complying with applicable regulations
The participating ward councillors will now take these concerns back to the relevant municipal departments, law enforcement agencies, and other authorities for further investigation and enforcement action where required.
The initiative reinforced an important message: crime is best addressed when communities, law enforcement agencies, local leadership, and stakeholders work together rather than in isolation.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who were present and made a significant contribution towards making our community safer. This includes the Witbank SAPS, the SACCW, private security partners, neighbourhood watch members, volunteers, and all stakeholders who participated in making the patrol a success.
We maintain that this successful initiative will not be a once-off event, but rather as the beginning of stronger collaboration and ongoing efforts to reduce crime and improve safety across eMalahleni. Together, we can build safer communities for all.