85 vehicles handed over to community crime-fighters to drive their efforts

Based on the latest crime statistics, one may agree with the sentiment that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is a “lawless” province. These stats show that every day, in KZN, 18 people are killed, 23 are raped, there are 21 attempted murders and 83 people are victims of common assault.

To help boost the fight against crime, KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube handed over essential tools of trade to the value of R30 million to various voluntary community crime fighting structures in the province last Friday, April 5.

Among the equipment handed over were 85 vehicles, which Ms Dube-Ncube said would play a pivotal role in accelerating the fight against crime by enhancing the mobility, response times, and operational capabilities of the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to keep the communities safe.

“By equipping these voluntary community crime-fighting structures with the necessary resources, the government is empowering local initiatives and fostering a collaborative approach to addressing crime,” she said.

“This proactive strategy reflects a commitment to grassroots solutions and community-led interventions, which are vital components of any comprehensive crime prevention strategy.”

Ms Dube-Ncube said this when she announced the initiatives during an event at Hoy Park in Durban on Friday, accompanied by Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Sipho Hlomuka. She said the initiative marked a significant milestone in government’s commitment to enhancing public safety and security in the region.

The other crime-fighting initiatives aimed at curbing criminal activities and promoting public safety across the province include:

• Strengthening the capacity of Community Policing Forums to engage with communities, gather intelligence and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to prevent and combat crime at the grassroots level;

• Supporting and expanding the network of neighbourhood watch programmes to enhance surveillance, deterrence and early detection of criminal activities within residential areas;
• Investing in programmes that provide skills development, education, and employment opportunities for young people to steer them away from crime and delinquency;
• Facilitating partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organisations, businesses, and community groups to implement holistic crime prevention strategies tailored to the unique needs of different communities; and
• Harnessing the power of technology and innovation to improve crime detection, response, and data-driven decision-making processes within law enforcement agencies and community organisations.

Ms Dube-Ncube said that it was important to have the collective efforts of government, including law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and concerned citizens in the fight against crime.