A senior magistrate in Hlanganani, Adv Tshifhiwa Maumela, has implored the community to be united in their fight against crime.

Speaking during a crime awareness campaign that was organized by the Vuwani police and held at Kolokoshani school grounds outside Vuwani, Maumela said crime had become a repelling factor in luring investors in the country. "No normal investor would invest his money in a crime-infested country and this would mean less development in our area," he said. He said crime should be fought from grassroots, the villages where these criminals live. "Criminals are part of the community and are known to the community. Together with our traditional leaders, we can defeat criminals," he said. He urged those gathered not to buy stolen goods as it encourages criminals to steal more, knowing that they have a ready market. "What type of parent are you who accept things you did not buy as family, knowing that your child is not working?" he asked. He encouraged parents not to keep quiet when they see any sign of criminality in their children, as keeping quiet will be another way of encouraging crime in the community.

Maumela urged the youth to be involved in creative activities like sport, music and drama that could be their future careers. Maumela further commended the police for the job they are doing in making our communities safer and a better place to live in. He said modern-day police are educated and this puts them a step ahead of criminals as they are able to investigate cases and act swiftly.

Maumela made a stinging attack on those still involved in ritual killings in the hope of getting rich. He said ritual murder is a false mentality whereby perpetrators are made to believe that they will have material wealth and good positions in life. He concluded by calling all community members to forward all information to police for the speedy and successful completion of cases.

Sr Supt Eddie van der Walt, station commissioner at the Vuwani Police Station, said communities, police, traditional leaders and other structures should unite and fight crime. He said there was great prevalence of close-contact crimes like rapes in the Vuwani Sector policing area. He encouraged people to join and swell the ranks of the reservist unit of the police. He said communities should identify the right people and recommend them for training. He concluded by making a plea to parents to make sure that their teenagers do not venture into the streets at night as they might be victims of crime or be involved in the abuse of drugs, alcohol and unprotected sex, saying the police would be forced to take them home whenever they found them.

Mr Bardwell Mufunwaini, the chairperson of Munna Ndi Nnyi Men´s Forum, called on parents to be responsible and use child grants for the intended purpose. He said many cases of child neglect are reported to his organisation daily with parents having a good time out of grants.

He said parents should live exemplary lives as children will copy from them. He encouraged the youths to engage in traditional dances, sport, music and drama as this will keep them from evil.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to youngsters who dedicated their time to fighting crime during the festive season.