Tshwane Mayor says city has limited resources to combat crime

JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink said the city has limited resources to combat the soaring scourge of crime in parts of the metro.

He was responding to complaints raised by disgruntled community members during 702’s election townhall in Ga-Rankuwa on Wednesday.

Community members have raised concerns over their local police station, which is often hit by power outages.

Brink said while the city has set up measures to tackle crime , the South African Police Service (SAPS) also needs to play its part.

Gauteng’s crime prevention wardens and Tshwane metro police officers are visible as one drives around Pretoria’s northern townships.

The 2023/24 second quarter crime statistics presented by Minister Bheki Cele in November last year revealed  that crime is rife in policing precincts, north of capital city.

Brink told Ga-Rankuwa residents the municipality has strengthened efforts  to fight crime.

"But unless we can equip the police station to do the serious work of controlling the streets and doing crime intelligence, I'm afriad we are no going to win this war alone as a municipality."

But residents are not convinced, as they accused the city of neglecting and prioritising suburban communities.