Residents in the Nthabalala area near Bandelierkop criticised the local police for not doing enough to try and control the rampant crime.
Residents from villages such as Maila Lagos took to the streets last Tuesday in protest against what they describe as the slackness of the police to act and the possible involvement of police officers in the crimes. The protesters barricaded the D4 road between Maila village and Elim, using cut-down trees and rocks.
At about 12:30, the group of more than 100 members gathered near the house of the local headman, Mr Joshua Nthabalala. The headman voiced his concern that members of the police forces are behind some of the criminal activities. "The police are failing to apprehend the thieves and we suspect (police) members of working with them. When residents open cases, they disappear into a thin air. The police also take five hours to arrive at a scene," he said.
A local resident, William Tshisango, said that they feared for their lives after one resident had died. According to him, the deceased had died from a heart attack, because of the trauma inflicted by the robbers. "It seems like she died of a heart attack after thieves pointed a gun at her and took her car keys, before running away. When the police were called, they arrived late, took a statement and left. Three cars were stolen the past three months and we are feeling unsafe," he said.
Tshisango explained that the police intervention is not yielding any results. "On Sunday, we called the police when one boy was caught red-handed with a stolen phone," he said. The boy apparently told them who his accomplices are, but the off-duty police officer who arrived to investigate did not want to make an arrest. "We are now requesting the government to build us a police station, because the Bandelierkop SAPS are not helping us in the fight against crime," Tshisango said.
Dakalo Mudau, who describes himself as a victim of crime, voiced his concerns about what he calls the ever-growing crime rate in the area. "Our plasma televisions are being stolen and the police don't attend to our grievances. Those thieves are known; despite that fact, the police are not holding them accountable for their wrong-doing," he said.
The spokesperson for the police in Limpopo, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, denied these claims. "The station commander of the Bandelierkop SAPS was contacted and responded (saying) that most of the time they prioritised the complaints, but all of them end up being attended to," he said.
Regarding the allegation that some police members are working with the criminals, Mojapelo further said. "We are appealing to community members to come forward with evidence that will enable us to take the necessary steps against such members," he said.
Mojapelo also appealed to the community members to help the police. "The community must support the police and community structures must be revived in order to assist in fighting crime," he said.