The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liason (DCSSL) convened a multisectoral safety and security Imbizo on Sunday, 28 August. The programme was supported by different stakeholders as part of mobilising communities against crime, and aims to strengthen existing partnerships between government and the community. This is as a result of the high levels of criminal activities caused by, amongst others, gangsterism and substance abuse in Ermelo and the surrounding communities. Recently, the community of Ermelo was dismayed when a learner from Cebisa Secondary School was stabbed to death by a fellow learner, after a conflict ensued between their rival gangs.

The Imbizo was organised by DCSSL in conjunction with the local police, community policing forum, SGBs, churches and other community structures. The Ermelo citizens were also provided with an opportunity to provide their input on safety and security matters affecting their community. All stakeholders vowed to work in collaboration with the Mpumalanga government in combating the social ills that continue to affect their community. The Department of Education was also encouraged by the outcome of the Imbizo, as it will also contribute towards enhancing safety in schools. Mr. Oubaas de Jager from ACSU was also present at the Imbizo, where he also encouraged the communities to work with ACSU and the SAPS, so that Ermelo can be a crime-free town.

During Imbizo, the MEC DCSSL, Vusi Shongwe, addressed the community members, where he said: “Enough is enough, we are not afraid of the gangsterisms in Ermelo. We will make sure our informal settlements, as well as Ermelo town, are all clean and safe.” The Imbizo was a huge success, with a lot of support from all the residents from in and around Ermelo.