Lazy and corrupt police officers have no future in the South African Police Services. So says Mr George Phadagi, Limpopo’s MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison.

Phadagi was addressing community structures during a consultative meeting at Musina on Monday afternoon.

Phadagi also patrolled the Beit Bridge border post and visited the local refugee centre to assess the rate of crime at the two institutions.

Phadagi acknowledged the dedicated and hardworking police officers who are doing their best to combat crime and lashed out at those who tarnish the image of the police services by involving themselves in criminal activities. “We have dedicated men and women in the police services who serve the community wholeheartedly, and we commend them for that. Those who are collaborating with criminals must know that their days in the police services are numbered.”

He says everyone deserves to live in peace and comfort and the community should never allow themselves to be terrorized by criminals. “Criminals have no room in our community and it is our joint effort to make sure that they are locked behind bars. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that we turn our habitat into a crime-free zone. Politicians and community leaders cannot succeed alone in the war against crime. I am delighted to note that we are engaging our people in this initiative, giving us a guaranteed stance that we are moving in the right direction.”

Among the issues raised during the meeting were the high rate of criminal activities at the Beit Bridge border post, long waiting periods when opening dockets at the local police station, mushrooming of unlicensed liquor outlets and the late response by police when a crime is reported.

Musina Mayor Carol Phiri says after the consultation session, she will make sure that all wards launch their Community Safety Forums and street committees to make sure that crime is totally eradicated in Musina.