By Buziwe Nocuze
- Police and the community held a mass prayer for a safer festive season on Thursday.
- Residents were asked to report alcohol sellers and criminal activities to help the police fight crime.
Police and residents joined hands in prayer at OR Tambo Mew Way hall in Khayelitsha, hoping for a peaceful festive season.
Station Commander Brigadier Khuthala Masakala said they gathered to pray about high crime rates.
“We are here to pray for peace and quietness in our streets. We are joined by Community in Blue, Neighborhood Watch, and Codeta Taxi Association,” said Masakala.
She stressed that keeping the community safe isn’t just up to the police.
“We are urging community members to act quickly when they see criminals committing criminal activities. We chose to ask for God’s intervention to protect us while we were busy patrolling the dangerous streets of Khayelitsha,” she said.
Crime usually goes up in Khayelitsha during festive times.
“Some crimes committed during this time include the snatching of bags, residents getting robbed in their houses, and murders. People get into small fights and resolve them by killing each other,” Masakala explained.
Community Policing Forum head Monde Bambelo welcomed the partnership with local groups.
“The prayer is important. We are doing everything in our power to fight crime in our communities, but it is not safe; we will get strength from prayer to carry on,” Bambelo said.
Codeta Taxi Association’s Nceba Enge said they want police to deal with drivers involved in extortion. He also asked passengers to report bad behaviour by drivers.
Resident Nomsa Qitsa, 45, supported the prayer meeting.
“Crime in Khayelitsha is too high; government officials visiting our areas need to be escorted; if not, they get robbed and injured. People are getting killed every day,” Nomsa said.
Pictured above: Khayelitsha SAPS organised a mass prayer to pray for a peaceful festive season.
Source: Buziwe Nocuze
