EASTERN Cape police will come down hard on criminals who threaten the safety of residents and visitors expected to flock to the province over the festive season.
That’s the tough talk coming from provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta who yesterday launched the police’s festive season plan, Operation Duty Calls, in Mthatha yesterday.
The commissioner said through collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and communities around the province, po lice would work around the clock and clamp down o n illegal shebeens, drug dens, stock thieves, perpetrators of crimes against women and children and bogus traditional surgeons.
According to crime statistics for 2013-14 year, 3453 people were murdered in the province, there were 1858 attempted murders and nearly 1000 sexual crimes were recorded, with Mthatha being named among the most dangerous areas to live in.
Binta was accompanied by the new transport, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, AmaMpondo King Ndamase Ndamase II and general secretary of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa Xolile Ndevu, who all pledged their support for increased crime-fighting efforts.
Binta, who appealed for more responsible drinking, said alcohol-related murders, stabbings, rape and assault were most prevalent during the holiday season.
She announced that they had beefed up police resources, including supplying 80 new vehicles for quicker response time.
But some of the hundreds of residents who attended the launch poured cold water over Operation Duty Calls saying they fell victim to muggers and merciless criminals due to police inefficiency “day in and day out”.
Mzimasi Cekisa, 40, who lives in Ndudule Street, said it was ironic that the launch was taking place near the area’s crime hotspot, Tukete Street and a walkway between Mzimvubu Junior Secondary School around the Rotary Stadium.
“Right now, tsotsis are lurking around the corner waiting for people when they come out of here.
“They snatch bags and cellphones everyday. If you don’t have a cellphone, you will surely be stabbed a few times,” said Cekisa.
As part of her department’s plan, Tikana said traffic officers would work a minimum of 16 hours a day with overtime allowance.
Traffic officers went on strike earlier this year over unpaid overtime.
Provincial chairman of the Police and Civil Rights Union (Popcru), Loyiso Mdingi, said prevention and high visibility were “key” in fighting crime.
“We appeal to SAPS management to create a healthy and conducive environment for police to do a sterling job,” said Mdingi. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za