Visible policing crucial for Bay

THE Port Elizabeth community has recently been shocked by three gruesome murders of women.

The DA is outraged by these crimes, as they are not only a violation of human rights, but strike fear into the hearts of the Port Elizabeth community.

Two weekends ago, 17-year-old Sindi Gamada’s body was discovered at a graveyard outside Walmer Township. She had been raped, and murdered thereafter on Sunday morning. More recently, one Saturday afternoon, a 76-year-old grandmother from Beverly Grove was beaten to death with a blunt object.

The half-naked, lifeless body of a Schauderville mother was discovered outside De Vos Malan Primary School on Sunday morning.

She was allegedly strangled, stuffed into a refuse bag and dumped in a drain.

SAPS statistics show that there has been an increase in the murder rate in the Port Elizabeth area.

During 2010/11 the murder rate in Port Elizabeth stood at 399 and had increased to 463 during 2011/2012. There has thus been a 20% increase in the murder rate.

The DA believes that one of the ways in which the murder rate can be brought down is through improved police visibility, as well as improved detective work.

Last Monday, together with councillor Chris Roberts, I visited Mount Road police station.

I will be monitoring issues such as police visibility and improved detective work during this year through my visits to different police stations in Port Elizabeth, and through my interaction with the police commissioner.

The DA condemns in the strongest terms, the murder of women in the Bay.

Citizens are urged to become involved in community police forums so that they can work with SAPS to reduce crimes of this nature.