Johannesburg - People should work with the police to prevent crime and corruption in their communities, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said in Westbury on Thursday.
“Safety in the community starts with all of us,” he said.
“Community members must get actively involved in the CPF (community policing forum) and other crime prevention activities to stop crime and corruption in their communities.”
Nhleko was speaking outside the home of the three-year-old Luke Tibbetts, who was critically wounded in a shooting on Saturday evening.
He visited the boy's family in the suburb west of Johannesburg to “offer support”.
“We are also grateful to the community for the support they are giving to the Tibbetts family during this difficult time,” he said.
The family did not speak to the media, but the boy's uncle, Llewellyn Valentine, confirmed that was still in a critical condition in hospital.
A large group of people from the community assembled around the block of flats where the Tibbetts family stayed.
“Enough is enough, “ they shouted as Nhleko addressed them.
Although they were pleased with Nhleko's visit to the community, they said police should make more of an effort to be involved.
“The minister's visit was good but they shouldn't just visit us when something bad happens,” said Chantell Davids, 39.
She said drugs were a problem in the community and that police should be more active in drug prevention.
“Drugs in the community leads to theft and animosity amongst the community,” said Davids.
“Police must work harder to prevent drug use,” she said.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Keenan Mokwena, 28, appeared in the Newlands Magistrate's Court in Sophiatown on Thursday for allegedly pointing a firearm.
Mokwena was also shot and wounded in the shooting.
He and Tibbets were travelling in the area in different vehicles during the shooting. They were taken to nearby hospitals.
Mokwena was shot in his right arm. He was treated and discharged.
Magistrate Ivy Serei postponed the case to August 12 to allow the State to gather further evidence and to allow community tensions to settle.
Lindray Khakhu, 24, was arrested at the weekend for allegedly shooting and wounding Tibbetts.
On Tuesday, he appeared in the same court.
The court heard that these were not the only charges Khakhu faced.
He faced three other charges of attempted murder for a separate incident.
The cases were pending before the high court, prosecutor Vincent Mochabela said.
He was also expected to appear in court on August 12, but according to Warrant Officer Gordon Billing, Mokwena and Khakhu would appear separately.
Khakhu was arrested after people who witnessed the shooting identified him and reported the matter to the police.
He would remain in custody.
Sapa