On 30 April 2019, an Imbizo with community members of Somerville to engage on stock theft and community safety issues was hosted by the MEC of Transport, Safety and Liaison, in Maclear.
The residents of Somerville Village came forth with grievances and concerns that plague the community, raising issue of livestock grazing in their crop fields, livestock posing dangers on the roads for motorists, and the lack of resources needed to respond in adequate time in delivering services in the area, and the prevalent theft of stock.
The Elliot Cluster, Mount Fletcher Cluster, Mthatha Cluster, and Aliwal North Cluster accompanied EC Provincial Commissioner and her provincial delegation to engage community members at the imbizo, which was in partnership with EC Safety and Liaison and the CPF (Community Policing Forum).
EC Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. L. Ntshinga, addressed the issues of community members accordingly, stating that it was important of having such engagements to empower communities. She acknowledged the vastness of the villages in Maclear, saying that she takes the plea to have a police station in the area with the highest consideration; although it may take a number of years to build one.
She stated the efforts made by establishing rural and traditional policing strategies, community in blue, CPF, and volunteers in the area are also effective modes of ensuring the reducing of stock theft and ensuring the safety of the community.
Lt. Gen. L Ntshinga stated that desires a continuous collaboration and engagements with communities in fighting crime in the area
Ms. W. Tikana, MEC for Transport, Safety, and Liaison, gave the keynote address. The MEC echoed Lt. Gen. Ntshinga’s statement, encouraging community members not to be complacent with crime or rely solely on SAPS members to solve problems, but take initiatives, with the aid of appropriate forums put in place, in efforts to combat crime.
The imbizo engagement proved to be an immense success as members of the community came forth to commend the work being done by SAPS member in the Elliot Cluster.
At the end of the imbizo, Lt. Gen. Ntshinga and MEC Tikana handed 3 vehicles to the Elliot Cluster to ensure service delivery in the Cluster.
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