Mangweni community calls for MEC’s intervention to rape cases
02 May 2011
Residents around the Mangweni area in Nkomazi have called on the MEC
for Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe to intervene into rape cases
to ensure that perpetrators are fully prosecuted.
The community members cried during a march that was coordinated by the
department together with Tonga police and the community policing structures on
Saturday.
The aim of the march was to encourage community members to act against
perpetrators of rape and domestic violence and to encourage victims of crime and
witnesses to report such crimes to the police.
Mangweni is regarded as number one area in the Nkomazi region where
rape and domestic violence are rife due to the high rate of Mozambicans who
enter and exit the country illegally.
This march is part of the six months campaign by the department and
local communities aimed at reducing domestic violence around the Tonga policing
area.
During the march, residents held placards and sang songs that expressed
their anger against perpetrators and those who were not reporting crime to the
police.
They told the department’s representatives that some perpetrators were
arrested and the following day would be seen roaming the streets. They said this
was one thing that contributed to the scourge of these crimes.
Speaking at the same march was CPF Chairperson of Nkomazi, Mr Stanley
Madonsela who pleaded with the community to become a source of information for
the police and the Community Police Forum.
He said this will assist in removing all the perpetrators of crime in
the community. He explained that it was unfortunate that in most cases victims
or witnesses fail to provide testimonies to the court once the case has been
transferred to the Justice department.
“It is even more unfortunate that some women will withdraw the case if the offender is a close relative or a husband. Report these cases and give factual evidence then you will see that there is justice in this country,” added Madonsela.
These campaigns are part of the Department of Safety, Security and
Liaison crime prevention initiatives of mobilizing people to fight against crime
among their communities. They include border security campaigns, anti-human
trafficking and drugs campaigns and encouraging people not to buy stolen goods.
The campaigns are conducted almost every week by departmental officials
to ensure that people are safe in the province of Mpumalanga.
Based on the request by the community, the department would like to remind community members that the MEC would not interfere in any court cases. People should know that reporting crime only will not assist the courts to convict suspects. Reporting of crime is just the first step and people should make follow ups, assist the police investigators with information and evidence and also be available at court to testify as witnesses. This will demonstrate the seriousness of the case and it will be difficult for the suspect to be granted bail, and ultimately he will be convicted.
MEC Shongwe believes that through community participation, government will be able to eradicate crime in the province.
Contact
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and
Liaison
