The Inkatha Freedom Party calls on the KZN MEC of Community Safety and Liaison, Hon Mxolisi Kaunda and the SAPS to embark on a massive crime awareness campaign as six provincial police stations were named among the 30 highest in the country when it comes to reported murders during the last financial year.
“The aim of this campaign is to encourage people to fight crime. The community has to work with the SAPS, community policing forums and other community structures in the fight against crime.
The Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu, Plessislaer, Mpumalanga Township and Ntuzuma police stations should be prioritised as they recorded a high number of murder cases. This is an indicative that more crime awareness campaign is needed in these areas.
We need to educate the public on safety measures to curb crime,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“The community needs to work together in the fight against crime.
Furthermore, the integration of crime prevention and criminal justice into all levels of education is essential in building long-term approaches to countering crime and violence. It is also critical in ensuring that the rule of law is respected from an early age in order to build safe and prosperous societies for all.
The eradication of crime and threats to the safety of KwaZulu-Natal people is critical to the sustainability of the region,” continued Mr Gwala.
“The focus should also be about educating children and the youth about crime prevention measures. By putting more focus on education and early childhood development measures, children will hopefully be less interested and prone to committing crimes as they get older. A focus on education helps provide a more permanent solution to this problem, as the mentality of the potential perpetrator of such crimes has completely shifted due to their education and upbringing.
Finally, in order to gain community support for crime prevention and youth focused initiatives, it will be important to establish monitoring systems which provide data to guide decision making about new programmes and initiatives, and to report on outcomes achieved. Without this type of approach, the community will continue to be alarmed about the behaviour of South African youth and remain misled as to the extent of the problem,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842