‘EXTRA ORDINARY MEASURES ARE NEEDED TO CLAMP DOWN DOWN STOCKTHEFT’ – SAYS MORWENG
Stocktheft appears to be a huge challenge in the areas of Mareetsane, Mooifontein, neighbouring villages and farms. This came during the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP) Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded held in Weltevrede in the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
MEC Morweng was made aware of this challenge during his unannounced visit to the Mareetsane and Mooifontein police stations as part of oversight monitoring.
At Mareetsane police station, MEC found about 200 stock theft dockets that are under investigation and it serves five villages as well as over 40 farms with variation in size.
The Mooifontein police station serves eight villages and neighbouring farms. The station has a very serious challenge of stocktheft cases reported from time to time, but the community doesn’t get feedback on any progress.
In his closing remarks after the visit, MEC Morweng said an extra ordinary approach is needed to clamp down on the concerning rate of stock theft.
“I have received a detailed account of the challenges experienced by both police stations. We have an obligation as government to protect our communities and their properties, so we need to have a solution. We need to urgently re-strategise and find innovative ways to root it out. We definitely need to demolish the syndicate if there is one aroud here,” said Morweng.
Following a number of complaints that he received from communities, Morweng called on station managers to constantly provide feedback to communities on cases that are being reported and under investigation.
“Police station managers are obliged to attend community meetings within the jurisdiction of their stations.”
“It is important to give feedback on cases reported. Police are doing a good job but failing to give feedback to the concerned regarding their cases,” said Morweng, who further encouraged communities to improve their security and measures of taking care of their livestock through brand marking.
Recently the Mooifontein police station assisted communities to apply for brand marks as part of measures to deal with stocktheft.
With regard to other challenges raised by both police stations such as personnel and resources, MEC said he will engage with the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng.
“In order to provide them with the support they require, I will engage the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng to see how we can increase the station’s capacity and ensure that they service the community adequately,” said Morweng.
MEC was accompanied by the Mahikeng Local Municipality Speaker Gagoangwe Mathe and department’s senior managers during oversight visits.
—ENDS—
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT
