The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape wishes to express its outrage following the senseless killing of a police constable in the Northern Areas of Gqeberha.
Const. Callan Andrews (29) was attached to the Gelvandale police station and was tragically gunned down on Tuesday this week.
We cannot allow the tragic and brutal killing of a police officer with a bright future ahead of him to become a mere statistic.
Crime in the Northern Areas has been spiralling out of control for years, creating an abnormal situation that has claimed countless innocent lives. Residents live in constant fear as criminals and gangsters run rampant without fear of reprisal.
The police are understaffed and under-resourced, and they are losing the battle against crime in the Northern Areas and Nelson Mandela Bay.
In September 2024, the Ministry of Police signed an official cooperation agreement with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. This agreement was presented as a means to enhance collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders to address safety and security concerns in the region.
I have written to the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, the Eastern Cape MEC for Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, and NMB Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, to request feedback on whether this agreement has resulted in any meaningful impact on the high crime rate in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Furthermore, I have requested of them to allocate a sizable reward for the successful identification and conviction of those responsible for this heinous crime.
The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Const. Andrews, and we stand with all the residents of the metro who have lost loved ones to criminal acts in Nelson Mandela Bay.
We implore all law enforcement agencies to act swiftly, bringing those responsible to justice and ensuring they are put behind bars to face the full force of the law.
The DA will continue to fight for a safer metro for all residents – the people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve better.