The message of Freedom Day rings hollow whilst residents of Nelson Mandela Bay, and especially Walmer Township. are still living in fear of criminals.
Today, 27 January 2019, we marched to demand that the Fountain Avenue Satellite Police Station in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth be reopened immediately. (pictures attached here, here, here and here)
We were joined by residents and DA activists in marching to this satellite station. We will also shortly deliver a memorandum to the South African Police Service. (memorandum attached)
I have been driving this issue over the past two years and will also submit a petition to the Eastern Cape Legislature.
The Fountain Avenue Satellite Station was shut down by the failing ANC government in 2017 after being repeatedly vandalised. Since then the doors of this station, situated in one of the most crime ridden area in Nelson Mandela Bay, have remained closed. The DA has been fighting for almost a year to have the station reopened.
Residents of the Walmer Township, and other parts of the city, live in constant fear of the criminal element, and are ongoing victims of violent crime, including assassinations. This is a direct result of the lack of visible policing and the enforcement of law and order in our community.
The DA is deeply saddened by the ongoing loss of life, and in particular the high rate of violent crime in Walmer Township, which includes murder, assault GBH, robberies, domestic violence and rape. We also express our concern with regard to the abuse of drugs and liquor, especially amongst the youth.
In 2018 Crime Stats SA reported Walmer is among the 10 worst Eastern Cape precincts for overall crime. More than 8300 cases were reported at the Walmer Police Station and included 19 murders, 20 attempted murders and 73 sexual offences.
In 2015, 80,2% of households in Nelson Mandela Bay said they felt unsafe going out when it was dark.
The reopening of the satellite police station will make it more accessible for the community to report crime and for the SAPS to respond more rapidly.
The people of Walmer Township deserve better – they deserve to feel save in their homes and the freedom to move around without fear of death and violence.
Only a DA government can create an honest and professional police service to safeguard all communities and build One South Africa for All.