By REGINALD KANYANE
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Northern Cape said it has recently launched a progressive arm that aims to bring the organisation closer to communities through engagements outside the parameters of the courts.
The Prosecution Manager in the Northern Cape Division, Advocate Mpho Tau said the Community Prosecution(CP) initiative’s objective is to collaborate with various stakeholders to resolve and prevent crime at grassroots levels.
Tau said through the CP programmes, the NPA has been able to host dialogues, outreach events, activations, radio talk shows, television shows and other face-to-face programs with different sectors of the communities.
“During one of these community outreaches in Galeshewe Township, in Kimberley, the community informed us that, there was an abandoned house notoriously known as the Colour Block, which was in a dilapidated state on Hulana Street, Galeshewe, near the City of Kimberley.
“The information received was that many of the wanted criminals would evade arrest and hide at the Colour Block, while continuing to terrorise the community. As part of remedying the situation, we engaged with the owners of the house on how to best assist them with this structure that had become a dangerous haven for criminals,” he said.
He further said the family taking into consideration the safety of their community agreed to have the dilapidated structure demolished, not taking away any right they have to the ERF. Tau added that the NPA through the CP further engaged with the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in Kimberley regarding the use of the demolishing machinery.
“On 30 May 2024, the house was demolished. NPA continues to serve the communities by ensuring justice for the victims of crime by prosecuting without fear, favour, and prejudice,” he said.
The Guardian 