Kestell residents march against crime

By Emily Setona

KESTELL – The residents of Kestell braved the cold weather on 21 September and marched peaceful through the streets of Kestell to voice their frustration about mounting crime in their area.
They delivered a petition signed by residents pleading with the Kestell SAPS to keep their community safe.

“Residents don’t feel safe anymore because crime is out of control and we have decided to deliver a signed petition with a few of our recommendations to the station commander,” Mike van Rooyen member of the Kestell community cleaning campaign said.

The petition reached 700 signatures and a memorandum reflecting concerns of the residents of the community of Kestell, Tlholong, Phahameng and surrounding areas that they no longer feel safe and that it is the duty and responsibility of the SAPS to protect the citizens.

This march coming soon after a gruesome farm murder of seven victims happened in Kestell during the month of July. Residents feel that police visibility could deter criminals from pertetraing such heinous crimes in their community and staff shortages should he addressed.

Moses Moloi an active community leader and founder of the Kestell community cleaning campaign in Kestell thanked the people who supported the march and said that through working together with the community’s councilors and the SAPS this issue of crime can be addressed and residents kept safe.

Phuthaditjhaba Public order police Captain Lehlohonolo Mokoena accompanied Colonel Mojalefa Tsoene who upon receiving the petition said that he will send the petition to province for the issues raised to be addressed properly, when addressing the crowd.