MISSING IN ACTION

Gabane community members are itching for the day that their Member of Parliament (MP), also Minister of Defence and Security Kagiso Mmusi will come to address them about the escalating crime in their area. It is common sentiment in the crime laden village that the minister is rarely ever available as the area MP, when the villagers gather to discuss the crime crisis in their area.

This was confirmed by Obakeng Sekolokwane, Gabane Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson, also leader of Goo Shaudi ward neighbourhood watch group. Almost on a daily basis there are pictures of Gabane residents who claim to have been attacked in their houses and robbed.

“We have a social media platform on Facebook dubbed 'Live Gabane,' this is where we see reports about people getting robbed, it is not only talk but there are also pictures that show the damage done,” he said.

In response Minister Mmusi said he is available for his people. “When summoned I will come, I am always in Gabane talking about crime there,” the minister said.

But Sekolokwane reckons that may be the minister comes and talks about other issues, but not crime, which they want him to address.

“We will make efforts to invite him. We are not fighting our minister neither is this politically motivated. We have access to him and hopefully he will honour our invite,” the village leader said.

Just recently, thieves hacked down the door of one family in Gabane. Residents find this to be traumatising because criminals now forcibly enter homesteads even during the day.

Some Gabane residents are even considering buying guns for safety so that they are armed and ready when thieves attack.

And this is one of the reasons why they have formed night patrol teams in their wards. They have vowed that hell will break loose should they catch the thieves in their act of terror.

“This is why we need the minister and the police support. In the past, Gabane residents used to kill thieves through mob justice but because such always reach social media, many refrain from that because we do not wish to have murder cases on our hands,” he said.

Officer Commanding No. 13 District Senior Superintendent Agreement Mapeu told The Midweek Sun that they have been holding meetings in Gabane to talk about crime.

“We will engage with the concerned group and see how best to help them, the police are there to assist, I spoke with the VDC chairperson and have agreed that we will avail ourselves at their next meeting in Goo Shaudi,” Mapeu assured.