Bluewater Bay residents voiced their demands for action against the crime last night at a Community Public meeting organised by Ward 60 Councillor, Thembinkosi Mafana.
Some residents blamed residents of Wells Estate for the increasing levels of crime, and one resident even suggested that some type of barrier should be erected to keep them out. However, another resident said it was unfair to lay all of the blame on Wells Estate as some of the criminals came from New Brighton. It is also known that some come from Motherwell and other areas.
Responding to the concerns, Swartkops CPF Chairman, Nolan Mathura, acknowledged that there had been an increase in crime recently, but he said this was no different than that happening in many other areas.
Speaking to the Echo on the sidelines, Mathura said there were already about 12 Street Committees working in tandem with iPatrol and SAPS. He is planning a crime awareness campaign that the Echo will be briefed on more fully in the coming days.
Several residents also made it very clear they were unhappy with the demarcation that had taken place that split Bluewater Bay in two sections. They believed there should be one Councillor for Bluewater Bay only.
The meeting was billed as one for the residents of both Ward 60 and Ward 16 – but there was no sign of the Ward 16 Councillor.
Also, after the meeting had started 40 minutes late, Mafana suddenly called a halt to questions after taking only eight.
