LISTEN: Councillor expresses deep concern about crime
ALEXANDRA - An Alex counsellor has complained of high crime rate in his ward following the recent death of a resident who was killed on his way to work.
An Alex counsellor has complained of the high crime rate in his ward following the recent death of a resident who was killed on his way to work.
Councillor Chris Mabunda of Ward 75 said this in response to the shooting of Stephen Diale at Boikhutsong Flats which the police are investigating.
Mabunda’s ward includes many blocks of flats and shacks and is next to the disused factories in Kew across fromVincent Tshabalala Road, which have been turned into living quarters.
The police have identified the road’s intersections as hijacking hotspots, often committed at gunpoint.
Social activist and commentator, Thabo Mopasi, once stated that Alex has many illegal guns which, when combined with the high youth unemployment, excessive alcohol and drug abuse, are a recipe for all sorts of crime and social ills.
Mabunda said his ward was a microcosm of what is prevalent in the entire township. This statement is supported by crime reports in this paper, many committed with firearms.
Also, and unlike in other areas, the township recently failed to elect a new Community Policing Forum to partner the police in combating crime, further contributing to a climate in which crime festers. Mabunda said Alex was shamed by the level of crime and a lot has to be done to secure the lives of residents.
“The flats where Diale was killed were once protected by a fence which was vandalised, even by their residents purportedly to let in outsiders. This destroyed all security measures which were in place, like the single entry gate; and discouraged block committee members from performing their security roles. Without the fence, the place is now a route for all, including criminals.”
He added that strange and suspected hijacked vehicles were parked in the area for months.
LISTEN: Councilor Mabunda speaks about the crime challenges they face at the Boikhutsong Flats in Alexandra:
https://soundcloud.com/user528046609/flats1
Mabunda also attributed the crime to the lack of police and community police forum operations in the area.
“The last I saw them was two months ago. This has encouraged criminals to hide hijacked vehicles here.” This he said in reference to a vehicle in the parking area which has been stripped to a shell after it was brought by strangers two months ago.
Mabunda urged the police to reactivate regular patrols and to tow away unknown vehicles, and for council to erect security fencing around flats. He also urged residents to collaborate by reporting crime.
