In a decisive move to combat the escalating crime rates in the Eastern Cape, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, alongside Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, led a high-level engagement session in Mthatha.
This important meeting brought together representatives from national, provincial, and local government to address the province's most pressing crime challenges and formulate strategic interventions to restore public confidence in safety and security.
Minister Mchunu announced the immediate deployment of additional police resources, including the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the National Intervention Unit (NIU), as part of the government's comprehensive strategy to curb rising criminal activities in the province. He emphasized the need for enhanced crime intelligence and revealed plans to appoint an acting head of crime intelligence, a move aimed at strengthening efforts to effectively tackle crime.
The engagement session, attended by high-ranking police officials, was focused on analyzing the most prevalent crimes in the Eastern Cape, including drug distribution and usage, murders, stock theft, illegal occupation of public buildings, and extortion. Acknowledging public concerns, Minister Mchunu reassured the community that while crime has indeed increased, it is not out of control. "We are here to ensure that the perception of crime being out of control is contained," he stated firmly.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane echoed Mchunu's sentiments, outlining the provincial government's role in the broader crime prevention strategy. He highlighted the importance of a "bottom-up approach" to dealing with crime, focusing on addressing the root causes within communities and households. "As a provincial government, we have been looking to do more for community forums in areas such as Gqeberha, where a lot of people have lost hope," Premier Mabuyane stated.
He also emphasized the crucial role of community involvement in crime prevention, particularly through the empowerment of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) via skills development programs. He stressed that the fight against crime requires a coordinated approach involving all sectors of society, from traditional leaders and councillors to mayors and community members. All these collective efforts aim to create a safer environment for the people of the Eastern Cape. The Minister s engagements continue today in Gqeberha.
