By Anita Dangazele
As crime levels continue to rise throughout the Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela Bay residents say they’ve had enough of living in fear.
Despite the deployment of additional police officers, Gqeberha residents say they have no hope that crime will soon be a thing of the past.
In March, the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice published its annual ranking report of the 50 most violent cities in the world. The report ranked Nelson Mandela Bay (Gqeberha) as the most dangerous city in South Africa, leaping past Cape Town and Durban.
Meanwhile, announcing the quarterly crime statistics last Friday, national Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that Mthatha and Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape have been identified as problem areas for extortion-related rackets.
Residents say they no longer feel safe, and criminals now target bereaved families demanding the insurance money.
They say development is at a standstill in townships across the metro because criminals are demanding protection fees from developers. Clinics and schools are also not safe.
Scrolla.Africa conducted vox pop interviews with Gqeberha residents to understand their everyday experiences.
A resident of Helenvale in the northern areas said: “We live in constant fear; being killed by a stray bullet in our area is not uncommon. Every other day gang members shoot each other and people are caught in the crossfire.
“ Only soldiers can help solve this. I don’t believe police can handle this on their own.”
A Kwazakhele resident said people no longer want tents in their homes when there’s a death in the family.
“Tents attract criminals because they will come and demand the insurance money. Look at that doctor that was kidnapped because he had lost his mother. They wanted half a million of insurance money,” the resident said.
In July, Dr Bongani Qini was kidnapped hours before his mother’s funeral with criminals allegedly demanding R500,000 in insurance claims.
Community activist Mike Bukani said criminals in Nelson Mandela Bay have no respect for culture and tradition.
“We are talking about people that don’t even respect the ancestors. When you have a traditional ceremony you have to hire protection services because they will come in and rob you and your guests. They’ll even take the alcohol,” he said.
Another community activist, Pamela Mabini, said despite the deployment of 300 more officers, police visibility is still a problem.
“We were happy when the minister said we’re getting more police but we don’t see them in the townships. You only see police when politicians and ministers visit townships; maybe soldiers will do a better job,” she said.
Last week, Gqeberha residents planned a city-wide protest against crime for Monday but it was cancelled after the MEC for community safety in the province warned people against a shutdown.
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Gary van Niekerk promised residents that NMB will be the safest metro by Christmas.
“This is a commitment I made when the minister was here. Nelson Mandela Bay will be the safest metro, come December 25.”
He said it’s time the municipality used technology in its bid to fight crime because criminals have been using tech to carry out their crimes.
“Technology is the only way to assist [combatting] rampant crime.”
At a council meeting last week, acting city manager Mandla George said 500 security cameras being kept in storage have been assessed and will soon be installed.
Pictured above: Nelson Mandela Bay residents during a community meeting on Thursday, where they were planning a city-wide march.
Source: Anita Dangazele
