MEC for Community Safety, Willies Mchunu, has noted with grave concerns reports indicating that the levels of crime have increased in Pietermaritzburg in the month of August 2015, urging all law agencies to work with all sectors of the community to turn around the situation.
Mchunu was commenting following reports that Pietermaritzburg Station in the city centre experienced a spate or crimes in August – totaling 60 reported cases – including, murders, assaults and sexual assault and rape.
While the national crime statistics are set to be released later this month, Mchunu, today (1 September 2015), expressed grave concerns about the spate of crimes that besieged Pietermaritzburg last month.
Mchunu is urging the public to continue working with the police and safety structures to close down the space for criminals.
“One crime is one too many and we strongly condemn all forms of crimes that have been committed in Pietermaritzburg last month. The fact that violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault and assault continues to happen means we have to redouble our efforts to build a united front against all forms of criminality.”
“It is imperative that we lock horns with the police and all crime fighting structures to put an end to this scourge of crime. Equally, those responsible for these diabolical deeds should be brought to justice immediately.”
“We must also work together to ensure that our police officers get the support and backing they deserve from our communities reporting crime and mobilizing all sectors of our communities to rise up against this scourge.”
“We also appeal to anyone with information in this these reported cases in Pietermaritzburg to share it with the police immediately so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice and face the long arm of the law,” said Mchunu.