
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said stock theft has become an erosion to the gains made by the farmers for generations in the province. Lehari said this act of criminality, wipes out the legacy which many wish to one day leave for their families.
He made this sighed resignation at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Stock Theft Community Engagement held at Matshepe Village, outside
Mahikeng on Thursday.
“The engagement is part of an ongoing outreach programmes led by our department to create an opportunity for the public to actively participate in the fight against crime. So, we encourage communities to work hand in hand with police and make utilised correct and proper procedures to report crime
and to follow up on reported cases.
“Crime in general affects everyone, whether directly or indirectly. Therefore, a collaborative approach is needed to adequately deal with this criminality. Community members complained that they are failed by the law enforcement officers,” said Lehari.
He further said the police and communities, need each other to strengthen the fight against crime. Lehari added that, there is also a need to heighten the efforts to create awareness and educate communities about the correct processes of reporting crime.
“Once the case is opened, there is a need for constant follow-up on reported cases. We can never say this enough, do not abandon cases. Engage us as the department when you feel there is tardiness on your case.
“We will follow up for you to ensure that, the police work optimally by way of intervention and support,” he said.
Lehari said the department through its Monitoring and Oversight Directorate, conducts follow up investigations on cases opened and not handled to the satisfaction of the complainants. He said the engagement organised as part of the District Development Model (DDM), was also an opportunity for the community to bring forth case numbers for
monitoring and thorough probing.
The North West CPF Provincial Chairperson, Robert Malungane said, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) are structures made up of community members who work alongside police and aimed at achieving effective crime control initiatives at a neighbourhood level.
“The forums are a way to bridge the gap between police and the communities they serve. CPFs have a firm grasp on what to do when there is a need to escalate and refer matters concerning the police, these include internal and external structures.
“Farmer associations ought to partner up with CPF structures to form a collaboration focusing on stock theft,” he said.
Meanwhile, other government entities such as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Home Affairs, Correctional Services, were providing much needed on site services. The engagement was also attended by Kgosi Seatlholo of the Barolong boo Rapulana and Kgosi Shole from the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
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