Western Cape Minister of Community Safety Dan Plato has condemned the most recent alleged vigilante attack in Masiphumelele.

Khayelitsha, Masiphumelele and Dunoon have been marred by a spate of vigilante attacks in recent months.

Masiphumele has also been the site of attacks against the police and over the weekend a police vehicle was destroyed.

“The destruction of much needed policing equipment does not help any community, especially the community of Masiphumelele who have been lobbying for improved safety service delivery in their area,” Minister Plato explained.

“I urge all our communities to distant themselves from rogue vigilante behaviour, to work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in identifying and apprehending those responsible, and to report all crime to the police,” the minister said in a statement.

Spokesperson for the minister, Ewald Botha says that the community safety office has received confirmation from the police in the province that the mobile station promised for Masiphumelele would be up and running as a matter of urgency.

“Masiphumelele’s plea for quality policing services is not a luxury; it is an essential request for the SAPS to deliver on their constitutional mandate of protecting citizens and their property. However, no matter what the circumstances or allegations, we cannot allow our communities to take the law into their own hands,” Botha said.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility and our communities need to partner with the police, neighbourhood watches, community policing forums and all willing safety partners in a united front against crime and violence in our communities.”

Masiphumelele has seen at least three murders in September and one man was severely injured. VOC