Muni prioritise safety in communities
The meeting's purpose was to generate ideas on how to strengthen working relationships among the stakeholders within the Community Safety Forum.
Ward Councillors, the South African Local Government Association, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nkangala District Municipality, Community Development Workers, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Justice, the SAPS, the Community Policing Forum, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, the Department of Health and Department of Education, as well as Amakhosi and Traditional Healers were represented.
Alcohol was the most contributing factor in relation to crime.
Law enforcement agencies will now focus on the easy access to alcohol and drugs within the community at large.
Alcohol is also the number one contributor to gender-based violence.
Home affairs was also encouraged to scrutinise the nationality of the homeless people found on the streets.
Attendees agreed that a database of the homeless needed to be created.
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