WeeklySA_AdminPASS OUT PARADE: Over 3 000 crime wardens will start patrolling of Gauteng hotspots from Workers Day
By Ali Mphaki
Boots on the ground. Drones and helicopters. Arm our residents with panic buttons that will be linked to our law enforcement agencies. This seems to be the way to go for six-months-in-office Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in his quest to “unleash all resources at our disposal” to tackle the rampant crime in the province.
Lesufi will be standing proudly on Sunday on the podium in Soshanguve, City of Tshwane at the culmination of a pass-out parade of over 3 000 of what are called Crime Wardens who just completed a stringent three-months training.
These wardens will be deployed to the various hotspot areas in Gauteng, which include townships, informal settlements, and hostels. Starting on May 1, the first cohort, consisting of 3 200 wardens, will begin patrolling the streets. The second cohort, is scheduled to complete their programme at the end of May.
The recruitment drive attracted 21 000 applications from across the five Gauteng regions.
After evaluation, 10 650 applicants were shortlisted for the next stage.
This process produced 6 000 of what Lesufi describes as “ dynamic and physically adept young people”.
The CPWs will initially focus on 361 wards in what is called the Township Informal Settlements (TISH) areas and later expand across Gauteng.
According to Lesufi their deployment in hotspot areas forms part of targeted crime prevention operations to deter and detect criminal activities and squeeze the space for criminals to operate.
Permanent employment opportunities for the wardens will be extended to include helicopter and drone pilots. Locally manufactured vehicles will be procured to fight crime and enable the wardens to patrol communities, promised the Gauteng premier.
Criminals better beware because these Crime Prevention Wardens that start their work on Monday and will be responsible for ensuring police visibility at the ward level.
They will work closely with Community Patrollers to educate the public about ward- based policing. To try and ensure a holistic approach in their fight against crime,
Lesufi said they will also form partnerships with schools across the province to address criminal elements in and outside the premises of learning and provide the necessary support and timely response to crime incidents.
According to Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, peace officers are empowered to arrest any person suspected of committing a crime.
The act also allows them to issue fines and seize any items suspected of being illegal in nature, like drugs or ammunition.
Lesufi says some candidates fell off during verification processes due to criminal records, unverified matric certificates, and a lack of physical fitness.
Opposition parties like the DA’s Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga have criticised Lesufi’s grand crime plan for its “practicality”.
“As I’m talking to you, Ga-Rankuwa police station is again without electricity. If people in Ga-Rankuwa were to press the panic button, who will respond?”.
The devil is always in the detail.
Couple charged with murder of Soweto boys
DOSSIER: Proceedings take place at the same time as the funerals of the two toddlers …
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
The court case of the two suspects arrested in connection with the murder and mutilation of two Soweto boys has been postponed.
Nqobile Ndlovu, 50, and her partner, Mzwakhe Zulu, 39, appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court. They face charges of premeditated murder, kidnapping, perjury and defeating the ends of justice for the murders of Nqobizitha Zulu, 5 and his friend, Tshiamo Ramanye, 6.
Dressed in a black jacket, Rabanye’s grandmother arrived in court covering her head with the jacket hood and wearing a cap. Zulu was dressed in a grey hoodie.
The pair told the court that they would apply for bail while the state indicated it intention of opposing the bail application.The state alleges that the couple acted with a common purpose , that the bodies of the children were mutilated and that the act of murder was premeditated.
It was revealed in court that Ndlovu was convicted of assualt at the same court when she was 19, while Zulu has no previous convictions. The preciding magistrate in the matter, Tshepiso Maepa, said the matter is postponed to allow Ndlovu’s defence to be present.
The case was postponed to 5 May for the court to settle on a date for a formal bail application. Both Ndlovu and Zulu will remain in custody.
Court proceedings took place at the same time as the funerals for Rabanye and Zulu. The boys were snatched from a park where they were playing and murdered. Their bodies were mutilated.
Both bodies were missing their private parts, noses and lips when they were discovered by men patrolling in the area. The funeral service befitting of heroes took place at Jabavu Stadium in Soweto on Friday, about 3km from where the bodies were discovered.
Multitudes of community members and civic organisations came to pay their last respects. The funeral was also attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane. Zulu’s uncle Xolani said they were shattered as a family as the five-year-old showed signs that he would grow up to be a successful man.“This young man was fierce; you could see in his eyes that he was a soldier of life. I knew that he was my force. We will always love him, and I say that those who did this act must face the full might of the law.”
Their teacher, Jabulile Nhlabathi, said they both enjoyed doing their schoolwork and were never late for class.
She added, My boys must rest in peace. I really had high hopes for them. They were so respectful and intelligent. www.fullview.co.za
Published on the 96th Edition
