"Dilapidated buildings exacerbates crime" - MEC Shongwe

07 August 2013

The existence of dilapidated buildings in Nelspruit’s central business district contributes to increased incidences of criminal activities as criminals take advantage of those buildings to perpetuate their clandestine activities.

This emerged yesterday (6 August 2013) at a meeting between Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe, representatives from Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and Executive Mayor of Mbombela Clr. Cathy Dlamini. 

According to Shongwe, Anderson Street in Nelspruit is one such street that needs an urgent attention from a law enforcement perspective as it poses serious challenges to the maintenance of law and order due to some of the activities taking place there.

He said some of the activities taking place at Anderson Street would soon dent the image the capital city if drastic action is not taken.

Shongwe, who was also leading the discussions, said that the existence of buildings which are no longer conducive for business, attract most young people who later uses the places to conduct illicit activities such as selling drugs and others operate liquor shops that are not properly regulated.

“We have received a number of complaints about activities taking place there. It is reported that there is prostitution, drug peddling, illegal operation of liquor outlets, shops and illegal street vendors. We want to clean that street because it is denting the image of the city. 

“It is also alleged that some of the police officers are in collusion with criminals who include foreign nationals to conduct illegal activities such as selling of drugs,” said Shongwe.

He called on the Mbombela Municipality to do an audit and verify who the owners of the buildings were. He also said there was a need to ensure compliance of business operating in the street to ensure that their activities are in line with granted permits. 

Shongwe further called on the municipality to ensure the existence of bi-laws ready to assist officers to enforce the law when conducting their work.

Mayor Dlamini said that the municipality was aware of the situation at Anderson Street and that is why they have embarked on a number of initiatives to clean Mbombela and needed the assistance of the department and police. 

“If this problem escalates, it will create a negative image of the city and that could turn prospective investors away,” said Dlamini. 

Meanwhile, the meeting also discussed issues of taxi violence caused by conflict over routes by taxi associations within the Municipality.

Complaints were also raised about the illegal operation of make-shift taxi ranks which includes the one in Andrew Street in Nelspruit and the one in Hazyview.

Enquiries

Joseph Mabuza
0826781450
013 766 4055

Issued by Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government

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