A SUCCESSFUL Anti-crime and Social Cohesion Summit saw stakeholders and crime experts share strategies on how best to reduce crime in eThekwini. Attendees also deliberated on ways to strengthen social cohesion among communities during the two-day summit which was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on 6 and 7 December.

Discussions also explored the role businesses can play, working with law enforcement, to form strong alliances to keep communities safe. EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said high levels of crime has a negative impact on the country’s economy. “Crime stands in the way of development, discourages investments, and affects the quality of life of residents,” he said. Major General Thokozani Mathonsi, Head of the South African Police Service Social Crime Prevention said there is a need to tackle criminal hotspots. 

He said proper assessments is vital to establish if existing strategies and systems will work, so that a different approach can be implemented. General Mathonsi emphasised that part of combating crime is police visibility in communities. To demonstrate the City’s commitment to fighting crime, Police Minister Bheki Cele and Mayor Kaunda
launched the eTafuleni Satellite Police Station to reduce crime in Inanda on 7 December.

Minister Cele said law enforcement would leave no stone unturned to ensure that they rid Inanda of crime. “We will not tolerate criminals. Provincial and national government are embarking on activities and programmes that will hold every criminal accountable,” he said. The launch of the satellite station comes as a wellknown criminal was arrested in Inanda by the police. Mayor Kaunda said the suspect has been committing armed robberies over six months and was apprehended.