Members from Covenant Keeper’s Men’s Forum in Mthatha, together with its associates, Youth Quake and Army of Women, joined in solidarity by other civil society organisations, marched to the office of the district commissioner of OR Tambo South African Police Service, at PRD in Mthatha, to submit a petition, last week.
They gave acting OR Tambo district commissioner, Brigadier Vukile Ntandane, one month to respond to their demands.
According to a member of Covenant Keepers Men’s Forum, Masande Skeyi, they felt devastated by the gruesome murdering of people, particularly women.
‘With regard to the hijacking, robbery, gender-based violence, rape, etc., we are very much aware that the perpetrators of these crimes are predominantly men. These incidences have taken a serious rise, not only in OR Tambo district, but throughout the country,” said Skeyi.
“As citizens in the society, men have a moral responsibility to protect their land, women and children, as well as protecting the elderly,” Skeyi said.
They demanded that the SAPS, with its relevant associates, increase the Thuthuzela centres in the OR Tambo district, particularly in Mthatha, where the crime was so rife and those centres should be fully staffed with a doctor, social worker, prosecutor, counsellor, nurse and police member for seven days a week, offering 24 hours’ service.
“They also demanded accelerated recruitment of members of the SAPS, to double the current numbers.
They also wanted that SAPS and its associated stakeholders to seriously prioritise the budget for campaigns that raise awareness about crime, including general-based violence.
Skeyi added that they demanded that each area in Mthatha should have an active and existing police forum and that it should be led by the SAPS.
The petition was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Nkosinathi Mbala, who promised that he would hand it over to Ntandane.
