North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Gaoage Molapisi warned the community that, gangstarism, killing of people and disruptions of schools is provoking government and he will not hesitate to remove those responsible from the community.
MEC was speaking during the broader meeting with the communities of Boikhutso in Lichtenburg following the meeting that was held with the stakeholders last week Friday.
More than two thousands community members gathered at the soccer field to engage government on their plight.
MEC’s intervention came after Boikhutso was terrorised by a group of few young people who barricade the roads, disrupted schools and threaten the lives of other community members including ward councillor.
Molapisi ordered police to search for the suspects because they are known in the community and they should be prosecuted.
“Community must work closely with the police and take advantage of forums like Community Policing Forums, and street committees that has the interest of the community at heart and should act like watchdogs.
Safety is everybody’s business, it cannot be left to the police and government alone, no one has the exclusive right to kill or take law in their hands,” reiterated Molapisi.
Since the deployment of the police who surrounded Boikhutso on Friday, the community felt secured and relieved since they freely roam the streets and classes resumed without any interruptions on Monday.
Community members were given the opportunity to raise their concerns, frustrations and others commended the government for providing houses, electricity, roads and others.
MEC Collin Maine, responsible for Human Settlement and Local Government concurred with MEC Molapisi that the community of Boikhutso cannot be held at ransom by few individuals who wants to advance their narrow personal interest at their expense. He said that as much as education is a right and cannot be negotiated, also safety is their right and that is none negotiable.
Maine has urged the community to peacefully and responsibly engage their councillors and municipality on service delivery issues, and if they don’t get any assistance his office is open. He rebuked those who use young people by giving them money and buying them liquor to terrorise people and councillors so that they can occupy high positions in municipality.
“Those people are dangerous, selfish and self-centred, they don’t care for the people but themselves only,” stressed Maine.
The Department of Social Development, Lichtenburg Service Point Office accompanied the MEC’s to offer their services to the bereaved families and to deal with socio issues and also indicated that they offer bursaries to young people who have completed matric and want to study social work.
The community managed to apprehend the two suspects who attended the meeting and handed them to the police. The suspects were immediately taken to police station for questioning.
The arrests brought relieve to the community and more arrests are imminent.
The community thanked both MEC Molapisi and Maine for taking bold decision to come to Boikhutso which was under siege and brought back stability.
-TDN
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