By Anita Dangazele
- Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha hands out two-way radios and torches to Zwide patrollers.
- Partnership between police and municipality shows results, though some interventions are still being rolled out.
Eastern Cape MEC for Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, visited Zwide in Gqeberha on Thursday to lead a crime awareness campaign.
Held at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, the event drew a full house of residents.
The aim was to strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the area as violent crime continues to affect many parts of Nelson Mandela Bay.
As part of the campaign, two-way radios and torches were handed over to local patrollers.
These tools are expected to improve communication and safety in the community.
Nqatha called on residents to work together with the police.
“The challenges we face as a country require us to make conscious decisions that resonate with our communities and demonstrate that we take their safety seriously. Addressing concerns around safety and security remains one of our top priorities,” said Nqatha.
Community Police Forum chairperson Eddie Alexander welcomed the new gear.
“We are truly happy and grateful for this programme. The Community Police Forum initiatives have proven to reduce crime in our areas, and the provision of this equipment will strengthen our efforts even further. We are sincerely thankful,” he said.
Municipal Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, Luyanda Lawu, confirmed that the municipality is committed to fighting crime.
He said the partnership agreement signed last year with the South African Police Service is already showing results, though some parts of it are still being rolled out.
Lawu said more targeted interventions are coming.
These include a new Metro Police precinct and plans to recruit more officers.
The partnership between the police and the municipality was created after a rise in violent crimes and kidnappings in the city.
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said back then that the city needed stronger policing.
The full plan includes dividing the city into different policing zones focused on schools, clinics and residential areas.
But this part of the plan has not yet been put into action.
Pictured above: Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha with SAPS members in Zwide.
Image source: Supplied
