Residents from the picturesque Xhorha Mouth villages in the Eastern Cape have rallied together, making their voices heard with a powerful march to Elliotdale Police Station on 5 September 2024. Their message was clear and urgent: action is needed now to tackle the rising wave of violent crime that’s shaking their communities.
In recent years, Xhorha Mouth has been grappling with a disturbing increase in criminal activities, including assaults, burglaries, hijackings, kidnappings, and extortion. The sense of safety and peace that once defined this vibrant area has been eroded, leaving residents anxious and unsettled.
“The fear among our people is palpable,” said Headman Ntsikelelo Mbangasini. “Criminals from outside our villages come here repeatedly, committing heinous acts, and yet, there seems to be no real protection or justice.”
The march was not just a display of solidarity but also a call to action, presented in a detailed memorandum to the Elliotdale SAPS. The document highlighted several shocking incidents, including the brutal assault and extortion of the Bulungula Backpackers Lodge founders, the hijacking and kidnapping of a woman and her son, and burglaries at the Health Point Clinic and Bulungula Backpackers Lodge.
The community’s demands were straightforward and urgent:
- Fast-track the construction of a police station at Tafalehashe.
- Set up a satellite police station in Folokhwe Village.
- Deploy a police vehicle to Nqileni Village for regular patrols and better coordination with the Community Policing Forum.
- Take decisive action to arrest those behind the recent crimes.
The memorandum, which garnered signatures from influential figures including Chief Zwelikhanyile Gwebindlala of the Jalamba Traditional Council, Headman Ntsikelelo Mbangasini, and various local leaders, was received by Captain C.S. Mngeniso from Elliotdale Police Station. Captain Mngeniso assured the group that the memorandum would be forwarded to the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner and the Mthatha Police Station’s Investigation Unit.
The community is eagerly awaiting a response from SAPS by 20 September 2024 and is calling for swift action to prevent any further deterioration of their safety. Encouragingly, a police van was spotted patrolling the villages on the night of 6 September 2024, bringing a glimmer of hope for a safer future.
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