Criminals plan major crimes in liquor outlets – MEC Shongwe

Criminals plan major crimes in liquor outlets – MEC Shongwe

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has advised the newly appointed Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mark Magadlela that SAPS should not lose sight on liquor outlets in the province. According to

 Shongwe, this is due to the fact that major crimes such as domestic violence, rape, robbery and murder among others are planned in those outlets in most cases.

Shongwe argued that the crime that is brewed in liquor outlets affects innocent people and leave others destitute. He mentioned that some of these taverns are built closer to the police stations, schools and churches and this often cast doubt on morality of these respected institutions.

The MEC was speaking at a Joint Management Meeting Forum (JMF) between the leadership of the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the province and the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison. JMF is a quarterly meeting chaired by MEC Shongwe to discuss crime related matters that affect the people of the province.

MEC Shongwe mentioned that the new Commissioner has already made an impact since he has started in the province. "I appeal that you also prioritise corruption within the police because people are complaining about this problem, which is also damaging the image of the police. This would give police management an opportunity to clean the service so that you only remain with honest police officials," said the MEC.

Illegal firearms were also the bone of contention in the meeting where Shongwe directed that people should be encouraged to hand over illegal firearms to the police. He said that some of the firearms that people possess have inherited them from deceased family members. Therefore, the MEC said, the inherited firearms could end up in the wrong hands and threaten the lives of other people if the firearms are not handed over to the police.

According to Shongwe, projects such as the Overall Friday should be enhanced in order for people to feel safe in the province. “This project should offer a basket of services to the people where they will benefit in terms of policing, well being in the community and moral enhancement,” said Shongwe.

During the meeting, Shongwe emphasised the importance of operational collaborations between traffic officers and SAPS as this would enhance law enforcement

visibility in the province.

On the other hand Magadlela promised MEC Shongwe that his main mandate in the province was to fight crime and that he would utilise all the resources available to assist citizens who need help. He also highlighted that he has already identified issues that needed to be attended to including proper management of SAPS fleet in the province and enhancement of visible policing.

Other matters discussed during the meeting included the Victim Empowerment project and the Easter

Arrive Alive rollout plan to be implemented by all law enforcers in the province.