POLICE minister Nathi Mthethwa has appointed a special task team headed by national deputy police commissioner General Kehla Sithole to address crime plaguing one of Mthatha’s suburbs.
Mthethwa was in town to meet with police heads and residents of Northcrest after receiving a report from ANC national executive committee member Zizi Kodwa about the high levels of crime in Mthatha, particularly Northcrest.
The suburb, which used to be one of the most affluent residential areas in Mthatha, has now become a den for criminals.
Just recently criminals broke into a household where they raped an elderly woman and her two daughters.
In another incident, criminals broke into a house, held the occupants at gunpoint and raped two teenage girls in front of their mother.
Residents have complained that police often told them there were no vehicles to attend to their cases at night.
Mthethwa told the Daily Dispatch that his department would look into the fleet problem.
“We will not just look at fleet alone but the human resources issue as well – both need to be addressed,” he said.
“I have given the provincial commissioner and the task team two months to deal with the crime in Northcrest,” he said.
Chief Mfundo Mtirara told the minister that residents had lost hope in the police. “They are just paid for doing nothing,” said Mtirara, who is also an ANC councillor.
Minister steps up fight against crime
Mthethwa was in town to meet with police heads and residents of Northcrest after receiving a report from ANC national executive committee member Zizi Kodwa about the high levels of crime in Mthatha, particularly Northcrest.
The suburb, which used to be one of the most affluent residential areas in Mthatha, has now become a den for criminals.
Just recently criminals broke into a household where they raped an elderly woman and her two daughters.
In another incident, criminals broke into a house, held the occupants at gunpoint and raped two teenage girls in front of their mother.
Residents have complained that police often told them there were no vehicles to attend to their cases at night.
Mthethwa told the Daily Dispatch that his department would look into the fleet problem.
“We will not just look at fleet alone but the human resources issue as well – both need to be addressed,” he said.
“I have given the provincial commissioner and the task team two months to deal with the crime in Northcrest,” he said.
Chief Mfundo Mtirara told the minister that residents had lost hope in the police. “They are just paid for doing nothing,” said Mtirara, who is also an ANC councillor.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos