DALISILE Mfazwe said police crime intelligence is weak ekasi and it feels like people are on their own.
The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) secretary in Cape Town said it was time for residents to stand up to fight crime because cops were failing them.
Speaking to the SunTeam regarding the recent spate of killings in Khayelitsha, he said cops only reacted after people died.
“People are killed and families lose loved ones, and then cops start reacting. Why can’t they react ahead of time and stop the killers while they are on their way to the scene?” he asked.
“In the past three months, we’ve had three mass shootings, and cops only came after people were shot. Our crime intelligence is weak, especially in townships,” said Mfazwe.
Since march, 17 people have been murdered in Khayelitsha, leaving residents living in fear.
The most recent incident was on Sunday, 8 May, when six people were shot in the street of Taiwan in site C. This happened barely two months after incidents that claimed the lives of residents of Enkanini and New Monwabisi Park.
Mfazwe said there used to be community help desks manned by leaders, but residents no longer wanted to provide information because they feared for their lives.
“We are going to work to ensure we set up structures that are trusted by our people so residents can report crime,” he said.
“We are also encouraging people to use anonymous channels to report illegal activities and crimes to cops.
“We don’t want crime and killings in our townships, and it’s up to residents to stand up and fight.”
