WE ARE FED UP WITH THE CRIME RATE IN OUR REGION

WE ARE FED UP WITH THE CRIME RATE IN OUR REGION

BY SUBRY GOVENDER
POLITICAL JOURNALIST AND EDITOR


In the village of Tea Estate near the North Coast town of Verulam in South Africa a man, only known as Bhakabhaka, is butchered by a gang of thugs on January 28. Six days later on February 3 at Everest Heights in the Verulam town Verulam itself, 82-year-old Mrs Minambal Baker is strangled to death in her home by callous and vicious criminals.
About 10km further north in the town of Tongaat, a 20-year-old youth, Kriben Moodley, is shot dead by armed gunmen in a senseless murder on February 19 while trying to protect his sister and girl-friend in the local suburb of Belvedere.
Then we have groups of thugs raiding the home of Mrs J H Mtungwa in Verulam town on February 10, the home of Mr A M Debipersad in Buffelsdraai, near the town of Verulam, on February 11, one the same day they break into the local Zenzeleni Primary School; in Tongaat they hold up the Krish Suredin family in the suburb of Watsonia on February 2.
In all the break-ins, the violent thugs use firearms and other weapons to kill, threaten to kill, and tie-up homeowners before escapaing with tv sets, jewellery, cash, and other valuables.
What is even more frightening is that the armed criminals and bandits spare no one, not even those who have been part and parcel of bringing about our new non-racial democracy and police officers as well.
Anti-apartheid political activist and stalwart, Siva Naidoo, and his son, were held up at their home in the suburbs Watsonia in Tongaat recently. The armed thugs got away with jewellery and other valuables.
Then last week, criminals broke into the home of Tongaat SAPF media liaison officer, Warrant Officer Mandy Govender, and escaped with goods worth thousands of rand.
The criminals have become so fearless that they even make their way into people's homes in broad day light and in full view of the public. This is what happened in Redcliffe in Verulam last week when criminals got into the home of an elderly couple, held them up at knife-point and demanded that the couple hand over jewellery and other goods.
These are just some of the latest incidents that one is aware of. There are still countless other incidents that are not reported to the police or the police just don't bother to release to the media.
The crime rate, especially violent crime, has become a cause for concern over the past 20 years or so. It's reported that more people have been killed during incidents of violent crime than at any time before.
According to sources, the crime rate in Phoenix, Verulam, Tongaat, Stanger, Chakas Rock and Ballito on the North Coast, other areas of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in general has just escalated over the past few months and "gone out of control".
What's the reason for this atrocity? Are these areas on the North Coast being targeted for a specific reason?
Are the police not doing their work?
While the national police commissioner, General Bheki Cele; the Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa; and President Jacob Zuma have called on the police "to loose their bellies" in the fight against criminals, the crime rate just escalates.
There may be many honest and hard-working police officers around, but it seems they are just too overwhelmed by the run-away crime wave.
At the same time the impression given is that the some police officers just "don't care" because they receive their salaries at the end of each month and they don't have to put in the extra effort. Whether the police are committed or not they will still be paid. The image is that they only take down complaints and thereafter leave the reports to gather dust in their files.
Many residents believe that private security pesonnel are more on the job and effective than police officers. They point out if the police were doing their jobs properly, then there would be no need for private security companies in almost every town and locality of the country.
When we fought for our freedom from white minority rule and domination, we were committed to the ideal of a free society where people would live without any fear of criminals or other members of society. Sadly now we have to live like prisoners in our own homes. And even living behind high walls, electrified fences, alarm systems and armed response boards don't seem to be a deterrent to the criminals.
There's no doubt that socio-economic conditions like unemployment and poverty also contribute to the crime situation. But the question that boggles the mind is this: If you are in need of food, why don't you register with the social welfare department or ask for help from charitable institutions, religious organisations or welfare agencies?
Why does one have to resort to breaking into people's homes, hold up the residents, open fire and kill, and steal goods that taxpayers and ratepayers have purchased through their hard-earned income?
Have we lost all sense of morality and concern for other people's lives and properties? Has stealing and killing become the culture among the miscreants and misfits?
The message must go out to the police and the government - national, provincial and local - that enough is enough. This is the limit and we cannot take it any longer.
If they cannot do the job, then they must vacate their positions. We cannot allow our country to be reduced to the status of a failed, corrupt and miserable third world state. - Subry Govender, Political Journalist and Editor