By Anita Dangazele
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary Van Niekerk is sticking to his guns after being criticised for his promise to make it the safest metro in the country by Christmas time.
In April, the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice ranked it as the ninth most dangerous city in the world and the most dangerous in South Africa, with the crime rate having risen by 37% in the past year alone.
Following a wave of criminality and gun violence, Van Niekerk promised residents it would be the safest city in the country by 25 December.
Jason Grobbelaar, the DA spokesperson for safety and security in the metro, said the party would ensure the mayor keeps his promise.
“Mayor Van Niekerk has a history of making Christmas-related promises that do not come to fruition, such as the promise to fix all potholes in the metro by 25 December 2023 – a commitment that remains unfulfilled, evident in the state of many roads in NMB,” he said.
“The commitment to transform NMB into the safest metro in the country within two months carries significant weight. Mayor Van Niekerk cannot simply shrug off or make excuses if he fails to meet this ambitious goal,” Grobbelaar said.
During a council meeting on Tuesday, Van Niekerk said the metro would implement several safety measures by mid-November.
“Our focus to have all law enforcement agencies working in unison with private security companies and neighbourhood watches is slowly taking shape. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted, especially since the murder rate and crime in general remain a major cause for concern.
“We’re engaging with the SAPS and the provincial government to ensure that the collaborative agreement signed by the minister of police and ourselves results in actionable operations to address crime in all corners of Nelson Mandela Bay,” Van Niekerk said.
He said a Mobile Surveillance Vehicle will enable real-time monitoring and response to criminal activities and will be on the streets by mid-November.
Shot Spotter technology, which can detect and respond to gun-related incidents in real-time, would also be implemented. CCTV cameras across the city will also be up and running by Christmas time.
Pictured above: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality mayor Gary van Niekerk.
Source: @NMBM
