Durban - The approach of the festive season could see a spike in crime, but police and the defence force were on high alert, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Thursday.
She was speaking at the launch of the festive season crime-fighting campaign in Estcourt’s notorious Wembezi township.
The launch was timed to coincide with the national government’s justice, crime prevention and security cluster’s community outreach revisit to the violence-ridden township.
“You may think Big Brother or Sister is not watching, but, actually, we are very vigilant,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
“Remember, our operations are always intelligence-driven. So, on a 24/7 basis, we gather intelligence to embark on operations which will prevent some of the planned activities.”
Ministers of the cluster visited the area in April after it was identified as a hot spot before the May general elections.
Also present on Thursday were Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega and provincial MEC for Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu.
The delegation held a behind-closed-doors meeting with Wembezi leaders before going to the Mahashini sports ground for the launch of the campaign.
Hundreds of residents packed a marquee where they were treated to a police guard of honour. Officials of the Department of Home Affairs and the Road Traffic Inspectorate also joined proceedings.
The proceedings were capped with a sky-diving performance by the police special task force unit.
Nhleko set out six “pillars” police would focus on for their festive season campaign. These included: armed robberies (especially heists, mall and bank robberies and bombings); liquor outlets; tracking wanted suspects; road safety; border security (stolen vehicles and drug and human trafficking); and woman and child safety.
Mapisa-Nqakula said Wembezi and other hot spots would “constantly” be monitored.
“Now that the elections are over, it’s important that we do an assessment. Where are we? What are the problematic areas?”
This had to be done “way before the local government elections” when political intolerance and conflict would be at its height.
A cheerful Phiyega urged the public to “work with police” to clamp down on the anticipated surge in crime.
“We have realised the importance of involving you, the people we serve, to give you a say in how policing should be implemented in your community,” she said.
Provincial police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni urged business to join forces with police and help prevent crime following reports of a surge in petrol station robberies, especially in Durban.
The Mercury