The residents of Victoria West note with increasing concern the deterioration in public safety, service delivery, law enforcement and social support in our town. This petition does not arise from a single incident or a once-off complaint, but from an accumulation of problems and repeated concerns that residents have brought to the attention of the responsible authorities over an extended period.

This petition is a formal and serious appeal to the responsible institutions to address the problems experienced by the community, take responsibility and implement concrete improvements.

We call for the proper enforcement of the law, basic safety, effective service delivery, protection of vulnerable residents and accountability to the community that requires these services. 

2. OUR DEMANDS TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE (SAPS)

The residents of Victoria West insist that the SAPS regard the safety of our town as a priority and take decisive and proactive action to prevent and combat crime.

2.1 More visible police presence

We demand:

Regular day and night patrols throughout the town;

A more visible police presence in residential areas and public spaces;

Regular patrols in areas where crime and public-order problems occur;

Faster response to emergency calls and reported crime;

That the local police station has sufficient vehicles to enable proper patrols and response.

2.2 Action against property-related crime

We demand decisive action against persons who:

Steal property;

Vandalise or damage property;

Enter private property unlawfully;

Damage or destroy municipal property; and

Repeatedly commit offences at the same properties or businesses.

2.3 Protection of Victoria West’s trees

The illegal cutting down of and damage to trees on municipal and private property must be investigated and addressed.

We ask that offenders be held accountable where there is sufficient evidence of an offence.

The trees of Victoria West form part of the town’s character, environment and historical heritage and should be protected.

2.4 Knives, threats and violence

We demand decisive action against persons who:

Threaten residents with knives or other dangerous objects;

Intimidate;

Harass;

Assault; or

Expose residents to violence or threats in any other way.

We are particularly concerned about incidents where young people are involved in such behaviour and request that, where necessary, appropriate social and youth interventions be implemented at the same time.

2.5 Drug dealing and drug trafficking

The community demands that the police proactively investigate drug dealing and drug trafficking in Victoria West.

Decisive action must be taken against persons who manufacture, distribute, sell or are otherwise involved in organised drug dealing.

2.6 Heavy vehicles, illegal parking and associated crime

The community requests that the SAPS and other appropriate authorities take action against trucks and other heavy vehicles that park illegally in the town.

Where such activities are associated with or contribute to prostitution, drug dealing, public drunkenness or other criminal activities, they must be investigated and addressed.

2.7 Every reported crime must be registered

The community insists that every crime reported by a resident be properly registered and dealt with.

Where applicable, a case number must be provided to the complainant and residents must be informed of the appropriate procedure for follow-up.

An accurate record of crime is essential to determine the true extent of crime in Victoria West and to motivate for adequate police resources.

2.8 Responsible use of police resources

The community requests that police vehicles and other SAPS resources be used only for authorised official purposes.

Residents expect available police vehicles to be used to protect the community and not for unauthorised personal use or any activity unrelated to official police work. 

3. OUR DEMANDS TO UBUNTU LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

The residents of Victoria West insist that the Municipality fulfil its responsibility towards residents and that basic municipal service delivery and the enforcement of municipal by-laws be improved.

3.1 Accessibility and communication

We demand:

That municipal offices and responsible officials be reasonably accessible to residents;

That complaints be properly registered;

That residents receive a reference or complaint number where applicable;

That complaints be followed up within reasonable time periods; and

That residents be informed of progress regarding problems that have been reported.

3.2 Enforcement of municipal by-laws

The Municipality must apply the applicable by-laws consistently and fairly.

We specifically request action against offences that affect the safety, health, property and quality of life of residents.

This includes, among other things:

Illegal parking;

Offences affecting public spaces;

Damage to municipal property;

Illegal or dangerous use of public spaces;

Littering and illegal dumping;

Offences that threaten public safety; and

Any other applicable violations of municipal by-laws.

3.3. ACCESSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE LEGAL SERVICES

The residents of Victoria West insist on regular and adequate access to a magistrate so that cases heard in the local court can be finalised without unnecessary delays.

We request that the responsible authorities investigate the possibility of a permanent or regularly available magistrate for Victoria West.

Unnecessary delays in the justice system can undermine the community’s confidence in the criminal justice system and can adversely affect the effective handling of criminal cases.

3.4 A safe and well-maintained town

The Municipality is requested to take decisive action regarding the condition of public spaces and infrastructure.

Victoria West is a historic town and its public spaces, streets, trees and buildings form part of the town’s character and heritage.

The community therefore expects municipal property and public spaces to be properly maintained and protected.

4. OUR DEMANDS TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE

The community of Victoria West makes an urgent appeal to the Department of Social Development and local welfare organisations to become more proactive and visible in addressing the social problems that contribute to crime and public-order problems.

4.1 Children and young people on the streets

We request that a targeted programme be introduced or strengthened to identify and assist children and young people who live on the streets or regularly spend time on the streets.

The aim should be to:

Protect children from exploitation and crime;

Remove children from unsafe street conditions;

Support families where possible;

Ensure that children have access to appropriate education and services;

Appropriately rehabilitate young people who become involved in crime; and

Prevent repeated offending by young people through early intervention.

4.2 More frequent presence of social workers

We request that social workers and relevant welfare services be available in Victoria West more frequently and visibly.

Residents should know:

Where to go, whom to contact and how to obtain help when a family or individual is in crisis.

4.3 Cooperation between institutions

We request better cooperation between:

SAPS;

Social Development;

Welfare organisations;

Municipal structures;

Health services; and

Other relevant community organisations.

Crime, substance abuse, child neglect and youth crime cannot be solved by the police alone. Prevention and early intervention are just as important as law enforcement. 

5. OUR REQUEST FOR A FORMAL COMMUNITY RESPONSE

The residents of Victoria West request that this petition be formally received and considered by the relevant institutions.

If there is no response from the relevant organisations within 10 days, the petition will be escalated to national level and assistance will be sought from government departments.

We request that:

Each institution identify a designated responsible person to communicate with the community;

The responsible institutions provide a formal written response to this petition;

Practical solutions and clear action plans be submitted;

Reasonable timeframes for implementing improvements be provided; and

The community be informed of progress on a regular basis.

6. A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND COOPERATION

We wish to make it clear that this petition is not intended to humiliate or attack individual employees or officials.

It is a formal community request for accountability and improvement.

The residents of Victoria West are willing to work with the relevant institutions and participate in solutions that can make our town safer, cleaner and better functioning.

But cooperation can only be successful when residents’ concerns are taken seriously and when visible, measurable and sustainable action follows.

WE ASK:

That crime be combated.
That residents be protected.
That the law be enforced.
That children and vulnerable persons be protected.
That municipal services be delivered.
That by-laws be enforced.
That complaints be properly registered and followed up.
That responsible institutions be held accountable.
And that the voice of the Victoria West community be heard.

VICTORIA WEST DESERVES BETTER.