Residents of Danville in Mahikeng coerced North West MEC for community safety and transport Sello Lehari, who was campaigning in the area on Monday, to commit to dealing with their long-standing problem of crime.
Lehari, who visited the area as part of electioneering ahead of the local government elections on November 1, apologised to residents of the township for his government's failure to be visible and clear a plot that is said to harbour criminals.
“They showed me a big hole [cut in a fence for easy access to the plot] here... I have seen it. It's very dangerous for the people of Danville but so far so good because we are clearing this area on Thursday,” Lehari said.
Residents complained bitterly that their township had been neglected for years, with crime at its worst as girls are raped and schoolchildren robbed of their cellphones and money by criminals who hide in the bush.
The dense bush surrounding a cemetery and a dumping site is said to be also used by drug addicts in the area.
A few metres away from the cemetery is a shallow cave between rocks in the hill. This is where many young girls in Danville have apparently been raped by people that residents say never got arrested.
Resident Aminah Ebrahim said she has lost confidence in the police. “You can hardly see a police vehicle here. The only time they come to our township is when they get a tip-off for a drug lord and want to raid the house. Otherwise, other crimes around here do not matter,” she said.
Lehari, who is also the provincial ANC convener, promised to clear the crime hotspot. He said the speaker of the legislature, Susan Dantjie, had told him that residents were complaining about the high rate of crime in the township and the dense bush where criminal activities were taking place.
Dantjie also visited the township on Saturday as part of the ANC election campaign. “She told me about a big hole here used as a crime hub. The MEC for public works will deal with the big hole... while I will deal with de-bushing this area,” Lehari committed.
Lehari said the community must also play its part because police officers cannot be everywhere. “The police are on the ground dealing with people like nyaope addicts and rapists. So police are doing a very good job,” he said.
Another resident, Jacobus Swarts, said social activities were their only hope. “There are a lot of criminal activities happening here because people buy drugs here and use them. Sporting activities are some of the things that I am very confident will take the kids and young people away from drugs and substance abuse,” he said.
ANC ward councillor candidate Billy Daniels said drugs and crime in the area have been ongoing problems. “I am anti-drugs and I love this community... people will receive services from all stakeholders in government once I am elected,” he promised.
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