Residents of Vuwani and the surrounding villages marched to Vuwani Police Station on Friday, 15 July, where they picketed before handing over a memorandum of their grievances and demands.
The march and picket, led by the EFF in Limpopo, came about after concerns were raised by residents who claim that the police station only operates from 06:00 in morning until 18:00 at night, which means that people in distress have nowhere to go for help during the hours when the station is closed. They also demanded greater police visibility around the area, which they say is lacking and leaves defenceless community members vulnerable to criminals.
Singing freedom songs and waving placards, the protesters marched from the parking area of the Spar Vuwani to the police station, situated a few metres away. They were met by a police contingent, who accompanied the station commander to receive the memorandum.
In the memorandum, the EFF demand that the station remain open 24/7 as residents feel stranded and frustrated about not being able to access the community service centre (CSC) when they want to certify documents or report crime. The memorandum demands regular patrols as most villages within Vuwani have been identified as having a high crime rate.
The EFF Collins Chabane caucus leader Mr Dunani Baloyi said the community had lost confidence in the Vuwani police. "As the EFF, we are deeply concerned and saddened by the lack of policing in Vuwani. The station is being managed like a spaza shop, despite crime skyrocketing every day. Women and children are being killed and raped, while criminals are not apprehended and brought to book. This is because the police station, which should serve the community day and night, now has trading hours," he said.
The EFF members demanded answers from the station commander. "We are giving them seven days for a positive response. Failing this, we will come back here and picket," he warned.
The memorandum was received by the station commander, Col Ntuwiseni David Nemudzivhadi, who promised to respond within the stipulated time.