Police quick to act when criminals report cases!

NoAndile Fabele, 72, is a part of the community group that fights violence. She was one of the residents of Msobomvu township in Butterworth who took part in a four-day protest in the township. They were campaigning for the release of forum members who had taken the law into their own hands when dealing with individuals who broke the law in this area.

Fabele said that the community forum’s protection of them is what prompted her to join the protest. She was able to hang her blankets all night, which they were unable to do because of the youth who had infected the township with crime, particularly drug dealers.

“With the introduction of drugs, we have been living in a dangerous neighbourhood in a township that used to be safer. I live alone, and I was a victim of a burglary that occurred while I was sleeping. I opened a case that has yet to be resolved.

“What is disheartening is that the police are working with these criminals. I used to wake up every night in panic before this forum came into existence, but now I sleep like a baby,” said Fabele.

According to the report, even dogs sleep when this forum is active. Before, criminals caused dogs to bark nonstop at night.

The major causes of complaints from residents are the frequent acts of violence and the extensive drug trade that fuel instability in Msobomvu.

After beating drug addicts last week, the residents were detained by the police. A halt to activity in Msobomvu these last several days was brought on by 12 of them spending the whole weekend in jail. They were released on Monday, with a court date for an assault case scheduled for March 1.

One of the residents who spoke to this publication on the condition of anonymity said: “When we call the police in our area to report a burglary or provide them with information about a house that is selling drugs, they do nothing. But, when the forum takes matters into its own hands, the police move swiftly, demonstrating that these criminals are working with the authorities.”

Mbuyi Kasana, an activist and member of the non-governmental organisation, Gwiba Lesizwe, thinks the forum is making a significant difference in the community.

“When it [forum] steps in, change truly happens.”

When the police are called, according to Kasana, they frequently do not show up, despite the fact that several situations have been reported in which they were called.

In an effort to help them drive away the “devil” who is infesting Butterworth with drugs and crime, the Msobomvu forum called on the various denominations to come to the township on January 8.