MPUMALANGA – Community members of Masoyi in Mpumalanga filled up the KaManganyane Sportsfield and interacted with Police Minister General Cele on crime and policing issues; in particular crimes against women and children including , rape, mob justice and serial killer cases.

The community told the Minister that the delay in police investigations and bringing finality to reported cases is pushing residents into resorting to mob justice.

General Cele’s visit to the Masoyi community is part of a women month programme of #SaferCommunities Imbizo aimed at enhancing community relations and policing.

The Minister was joined in the visit by National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole as well as the Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lietenant General Mondli Zuma, MEC for Community, Security and Liaison, Gabisile Shabalala and other senior SAPS management.

The visit comes as Masoyi residents are confronted with cases of murder, gender based violence and other crimes which has led to the death of several people due to mob justice.

General Bheki Cele told the community of Masoyi that these allegations must be investigated and appropriate steps must be taken to bring all suspects to book, mob justice is not the solution and will never be tolerated.

The National Commissioner General Sitole also told the community a new police station must be built to handle the demands of the growing community.

Responding to allegations of piling case dockets that remains unsolved. The Minister says

The Commisioner will run a program in line with the cold case strategy, those cases we believe are too old will be re-opened and thoroughly investigated. -General Cele concluded.

Source: South African Police Service