Makwassie youth elude socioeconomic factors to fight crime
Criminal activities in Makwassie are deep-rooted and based not only on poverty but also on economical and social factors.
In this area, the high rate of unemployment, lack of recreational facilities, drug usage and alcohol consumption are seen as only activities. However, leading most young people to being on the wrong side of the law.
Out of hundreds of young people in the township, few of them here took a decisive decision to join the forces to safe themselves from being against the law, but more importantly to play a pivotal role in creating a safer environment for their families, households and crime free streets in general within the residential community and neighboring farms.
By that time, two years back, through the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management’s initiative to mobilise stakeholders including community members within the area, the establishment of Community Safety Patrolers, which falls within the Community Safety Forum (CPF), these young people with inclusion of other concerned adults were presented an opportunity to be part of history making community members in the fight against crime within their jurisdiction.
Little did they know was that the project will end with good results for them, as they are now in the job market with their certification on General Security, accredited by the PSIRA.
One of these young people is 28-year-old, Otsile Frank Kumalo, who due to the socioeconomic factors, couldn’t finish his schooling and dropped out in Grade 10.
While idling in the streets of Lobaleng township, Kumalo started to realise the negative impact of alcohol and drug abuse among young people. That motivated him to find a way to protect his peers.
“All thanks to the department and the police with this programme. It made my way easy to protect the young people here from alcohol and drug abuse.
“In reality I’m proud to be counted among young people who are making a positive impact in the reduction of crime in our township and neighboring farms,” said Kumalo proudly.
In an interview with communications of the Department, Kumalo said he joined the CSP programme in 2021, and there were some gangsters who were threatening them. However, that never deterred them to continue with the crime fighting struggle.
“It was never easy because we’ve been threatened and called names but we’ve never succumbed to pressure because we had a mission to protect our communities.
Today I’m proud to have achieved this. As we speak I’m going to use this certificate to look for a formal job,” said Kumalo who has also attained two other certificates on food safety and sustainable world.
“My certificate on sustainable world is all about dealing with nature and I want to change the environment here, i wish to see this township better.
“In a nutshell, with my three certificates, I believe that they’ve put me on the job market, and I’m looking forward to make a change. However, despite these achievements, I still intend to get my matric certificate,” he concluded.
The Makwassie Police Station Commander, Captain Bareng Hlasa said the patrollers have greatefuly assisted them more especially in the areas where police are unable to reach on time.
He said by the time the patrollers were contracted, there were serious alcohol related crimes contributing towards assault, gender based violence, drug usage and house breakings.
“We had a serious problem on daily house breaking in the township. These criminals were targeting houses that they know people have gone to work, so we assigned our patrollers and that criminal activity has subsided,” said Hlasa.
He raised a concern on the uprise of damage to essential infrastructure.
“Currently there’s another trend which we must focus on. There is a serious uprise on cable theft and damage of street lights, but we trust that with continuous commitment of our patrollers, this too will soon be subsided,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Mr Sithiel Letlape said the department is greatful and recognises the efforts of patrollers.
“Your work and commitment is fully recoginised as you are playing a critical role in the fight against crime. We pride ourselves with your fearless commitment to create a safer environment within your residential community.
“It is a fact that police cannot be everywhere, and in realisation of this fact as the department we deemed it fit to mobilise stakeholders and you are playing a huge role in this partnership,” said Letlape.
The Makwassie Community Safety Patrollers were taken through induction for them to understand their roles and functions, trained on General Security and this has benefited 32 brave men and women with 10 young females, 5 young men, 10 adult females and 7 adult males.
In total so far, the department has successfully trained 62 patrollers in the province, as part of its initiatives to strengthen the fight against crime on an integrated approach.
—ENDS—
