THE ANC Youth League in Mpumalanga is accusing the police of not doing enough to address criminal activities in Mbombela, especially on the infamous Anderson Street.
Anderson Street has become a hub for criminality and the most dangerous street in the CBD.
The street is riddled with crime, drug peddlers, and is housing prostitution. It's also a street away from the Nelspruit Police Station.
ANCYL members marched to the provincial police offices to hand over a memorandum of grievances on Tuesday, 26 March. They have called on the police to do their work and rid the area of any criminal activities.
Sipho Mahlangu, who is a provincial convener, said the high-level of crime happening in the CBD was concerning.
He said they decided to march to the police because they felt cops weren't doing enough to fight crime.
"There is Anderson Street, and it's the capital city of drugs and prostitution. The street is two minutes away from the police station, but there is nothing happening. This has been happening for quite some time. We are concerned because police are not doing anything about the crime happening on that street,” he said.
“Since there's nothing being done, we suspects it's either some police officers are part of the syndicate and transporting drugs with police vehicles or promoting prostitution. We don't know what is happening. That is why we're also saying this police station that is not far from the infamous street must make sure they do something. They must do away with drug lords and prostitution that is happening every day, and the nyaope boys who are sitting there stranded.”
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Mahlangu said they were giving the police only seven days to address their grievances.
He said failure to address the issues would result in them taking matters into their own hands.
Dikano Letsapa, a University of Mpumalanga student, told Daily Sun she didn't feel safe to walk around the streets of Mbombela because women had become victims of abuse in various types of ways.
"Every day I just say a prayer to say I hope I come back home safely. There was even a trend at some point that said I'm next, and that's the question we are always asking ourselves if we are next. We don't feel safe at all," she said
Another student Sikhumbuzo Mhlanga, who is a victim of crime, urged police to do their job and protect them from criminals.
He said:" As a man, I am also scared to walk around the streets of Nelspruit. It's not safe, Anderson Street is worse, when you walk there, they rob you of your items, nyaope boys are giving us a problem.”
The memorandum was received by the deputy provincial commissioner, Major General Mabhuti Lekuba. He promised to respond within the given date.
