Hundreds of Eastern Cape residents took part in two marches against crime recently. One group marched on the Elliotdale police station on Friday and, on Monday, residents of Mthatha took to the streets pleading with police to stem the tide of crime.
The impact of crime extends beyond just the victims; it reverberates throughout communities, creating a culture of fear and distrust.
The governance, public safety and justice survey released by Stats SA last month revealed that while 59.3% of people surveyed were satisfied with the police service, the remaining 40.7% were not.
This dissatisfaction has been repeated time and time again by communities at their wits’ end.
It is not only a matter of safety, the economic ramifications of crime are equally alarming.
The viability of tourism businesses operating along the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, its natural beauty a prime attraction, is at risk because of criminals.
Dave Martin and Réjane Woodroffe were attacked by armed robbers at Nqileni village in Xhorha Mouth last month.
They are the founders of the Bulungula Incubator NGO, Bulungula Community Lodge and Bulungula College.
In June, the Stradlers were attacked at Mdumbi Backpackers in Ngqeleni, nearly 80km from Nqileni.
While the attacks were isolated to specific areas, it runs the risk of tainting the image of the entire 300km stretch of the Wild Coast, which runs from East London to Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal.
The consequence is that tourists opt out of visiting areas perceived as dangerous, stunting economic growth and opportunities.
This creates a vicious cycle: declining business prosperity leads to dwindling resources for the community, which in turn fosters an environment ripe for further criminal activity.
Determined to fight back, the Xhorha Mouth community on the coastline of Elliotdale has set up a network of neighbourhood watch groups.
Each group comprises about 20 men from local villages tasked with patrolling the area day and night.
The efforts by communities to make their areas safer, not just in Elliotdale but across the province where residents have organised themselves, should be applauded.
However, with frustration building in communities over the perceived lack of action from police, community leaders should guard against residents taking the law into their own hands.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu and the higher-ups at the SAPS have promised action.
From the police service we need a more proactive approach to crime; not simply responding when the situation reaches crisis levels and residents are forced to the streets to have their voices heard.
DispatchLIVE
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