The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS), in conjunction with the Dawid Kruiper municipality, to act against the growing level of violent crime in Upington. This follows the murder and assault of an elderly couple, at their home in Oosterville, early on Saturday morning.
The DA is shocked and saddened by the brutal crime, that left one person dead and another injured. We note that a suspect was arrested later the same day. This, however, will not bring back the deceased, nor erase the trauma of the survivor, her family, and the greater community.
Crime in Upington, specifically in the Oosterville, Keidebees and Middelpos area, has been on the increase over the past five years. While Community Policing Forums (CPFs) have been vocal about their concerns regarding the increased number of people living in the veld surrounding these areas, SAPS has shrugged its shoulders, placing the onus on the municipality to deal with the matter.
Dawid Kruiper, however, blames a lack of capacity within its law enforcement sector for failing to address the safety concerns related to increased illegal occupation of land around the town. In reality, however, it lacks the political will to secure safer communities for the residents of Upington.
The DA will picket outside the Upington Magistrates Court on Monday morning, when the suspect is due to appear in court.
We will be further calling for a stakeholder meeting between SAPS, CPFs and other security groupings in the area, to find a way to collectively make Upington safter again.