Combatting Crime, Drug Abuse And Gangsterism In The Northen Areas Is Everybody's Business

Combatting crime, drug abuse and gangsterism in the Northen Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay is everybody's business.

That was a clear message from Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Benson Fihla when they addressed community members in Chatty Community Hall on Tuesday (1 October 2013).

The leadership visited the Nelson Mandela Bay as part of their engagements with the police, community policing forums, street committees and members of the community about social, policing and crime related challenges facing the Northen Areas.  

MEC for Safety and Liaison Helen Sauls-August, MEC for Social Development Pemmy Majodina and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Binta were also part of the visit.

The community meeting was called for the members of the public to express their concerns and share their experiences about drugs abuse, crime, gangsterism in their communities.

They were also given an opportunity to suggest to both the police and political leadership It was also for the leadership to share with the community intervention measures that are being done to deal with the challenges experienced. The area has for the past 15 years has experienced challenges of gangsterism, drug trafficking and abuse and violence towards foreign nationals.

Accompanied by Nelson Mandela Bay South African Police cluster commanders the delegation also visited areas that are affected by gangsterism and drug abuse in the Northern Areas.

Speaking at the packed community hall, Executive Mayor Benson Fihla called on the people of the Northern Areas to take back their City from criminal elements. “We should work hard together in making a difference, it is the duty of all of us here to fight crime,” said Executive Mayor Fihla. 

He said it was impossible for government alone to succeed in fighting the problems that are being experienced in the areas of Chatty, Gelvandale, Helenvale, Bethelsdorp and the surrounding areas. "This battle can be defeated if we can all partner to take back our streets and playing parks to be places that are suitable for the upbringing of our children," he said.

Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu said: “I will make sure that I work with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to put in place satellite police stations as this visit has revealed the need." However Sotyu said satellite police stations alone will not be an answer to all the problems facing the area.

She said vigilance within the community on the issues affecting them was the first step.

“We cannot be sitting and waiting while our communities are being destroyed by drugs, we need to take responsibility as parents, children and as a community as a whole,” said Deputy Minister Sotyu also promised that it will not be the last time that her department visits the area until all the challenges have been solved.