MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a statement from the Mossel Bay Municipality following the death of Rikus Raath (21), murdered in broad daylight at the traffic light on Louis Fourie Road, near the entrance of the suburb of Boland Park, the municipality notes it is at the forefront of playing a vital role in securing a safer environment for all residents.
"The municipality condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent spate of senseless killings, especially as predominantly young people have been the victims of these violent crimes."
Municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux says the municipality remains committed to playing an interactive and leading role, where possible, within communities in the fight against crime and has noted the recent unfortunate comments with unsubstantiated blame levelled against the municipality.
Le Roux says the role of municipal law enforcement is to implement and enforce municipal by-laws and it therefore plays an important coordinating and supporting role. "Municipal law enforcement officers are not responsible for the safety of the individual. Likewise, the municipality respects private property rights. The municipality cannot infringe on private property.
"Maintaining law and order and protecting public or individual safety is the mandate of the South African Police Service.
"The bushes into which the perpetrators allegedly escaped, and the area used for their escape is on the property of, on the one hand, the Department of Public Works, and, on the other hand, Transnet National Ports Authority."
Le Roux says the municipality has been relocating the residents of the informal structures on the slope above Louis Fourie Road for some time.
"The ward councillor and community are continuously engaged to prevent further informal structures from being put up. The existing informal structures were erected on private property and ultimately the responsibility rests with the landowners, through the relevant legislation, to bring a stop to or to prevent the illegal occupation of their land."
She says progress is being made with plans to extend Walvis Street, which will according to her, eventually also help to make the area safer.
"The municipality has taken note of certain individuals trespassing on private property and illegally removing vegetation, some of which may be protected, from the dunes off Louis Fourie Road at Diaz Beach and is appealing to the community to stop this illegal action."
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