BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH WEST MEC for Community Safety, Oageng Molapisi said he was concern about the escalating number of stock theft in the province. Molapisi said the contact crime has increased by 2% while property crime increased by 3%. He said there were measures in place to reduce crime in the province.

The official crime statistics for 2014/15 were announced at Tshidilamolomo village, outside Mahikeng on Wednesday.

“The statistics showed that the province has recorded an alarming increase of 8% on stock theft for the financial year 2014/15. In 2013/14, about 2388 cases of stock theft were reported across the province. The number has increased to 2574 which becomes a problem.

“Livestock is the backbone of many rural communities in the province. Now the high levels of stock theft crimes have a negative impact on sustainability in rural development. The stock theft among under-resourced farmers in particular, has a crippled the food security, rural livelihoods and incomes,”

“Stock theft does not only threaten the sustainability of the province’s livestock industry. The department will take a lead in promoting co-operation and partnerships among different role players in implementing crime prevention initiatives.

“We have developed a strategic plan as part of intervention mechanism to deal with the high rise of crime. The finalisation of outstanding legislation and regulations will be put in place. We will tighten controls and law enforcement will be implemented. More visibility will help to ensure compliance by private institutions such as abattoirs and pound areas that deal with meat and stock,”

“We will resuscitate and strengthen Community Policing Forums (CPFs). The finalization of cases is imperative in rooting out criminals within the communities. So communities need to know that withdrawing cases is not ideal.”

-TDN

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