Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe delivered the welcome address at the second leg of the ministerial stakeholder engagement at the Reception Hall in City Hall today.
“We are united by a shared vision of building a safer and more secure society, one where people live in peace, dignity and comfort, with mutual respect for all human life, as well as public and private property. For this vision to be realised, the authority of the state must be asserted consistently and decisively, everywhere and at all times, without fear, favour or compromise. We seek a society where perpetrators of crime face real consequences whether for rape, theft, violence, or the destruction of public assets meant to serve our communities. We do not want our children growing up believing that crime is a legitimate means of survival, or that activities such as drug dealing, extortion, hijacking and vandalism can elevate individuals into role models. We are gathered here today to propose solutions and to collectively commit ourselves to building a better, safer Nelson Mandela Bay, free from criminality. This requires collaboration from everyone present in this hall to decisively confront and disrupt the persistent criminal activities that continue to plague our communities,” stated Mayor Lobishe.
We all recognise the significant threat posed by organised and syndicate crime in Nelson Mandela Bay, and we are united in our determination to put an end to it. It is wholly unacceptable that individuals known to be involved in crimes such as insurance fraud, drug dealing, infrastructure vandalism and theft continue to move freely within our communities. Equally concerning are the systemic and legal barriers that hinder effective investigation, prosecution and imprisonment.
Today’s engagement is therefore focused on unpacking these challenges, reinforcing a shared commitment across all stakeholders, and reaching concrete resolutions that will strengthen law enforcement and restore safety, stability and the rule of law for all residents.
Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili (SOEG) set the tone for the ministerial stakeholder engagement stating, “With all of us here in government, we are committed not to a distant future, but to a present in which communities feel the real impact of crime and experience safety every day. We firmly believe that when communities feel safe, they thrive; when communities thrive, the economy grows; and when the economy grows, inequality becomes a thing of the past. Crime is not just a law enforcement issue, it is a societal problem that requires a society-wide response. We are here to look you in the eye, acknowledge our shared challenges, and, importantly, reaffirm the partnerships and progress that must guide our way forward. By the end of today’s session, we should have a clear understanding of the reality before us, including the commitments outlined in the partnership agreements we have signed together. Policing in the Eastern Cape is shaped by vast distances, diverse socio-economic conditions, and a historical legacy that demands boldness tempered with sensitivity. Our women and men in blue and brown confront these realities daily, carrying the weight of expectation, duty, and community trust.”
Major General SAPS District Commissioner, Vuyisile Ncata delivered a presentation on Solutions and Interventions to the delegates in attendance stating, “We have decided to start with a crime overview, as that is the reason we are gathered today. What I will present reflects the real impact of crime and the efforts of our police, which you often see reported in the media. Over the period from 1 April to 30 September 2025, we have recorded a significant reduction in serious and violent crimes. In fact, this reduction has continued beyond September, up until the end of December. During this period, the number of reported cases has decreased by hundreds across our district. However, we remain concerned not only about the crime statistics but also about the nature of the crimes affecting our communities. These include attacks on places of worship, burglaries at schools, and businesses that have been targeted. Such incidents remind us that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to protect our people and public assets.”
The Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, responded to the issues raised by stakeholders, stating, “We urge that no action be taken outside of the projects that have already been identified, as each initiative carries its own specific meaning and purpose. It is important to avoid creating conflict within our communities through unilateral decisions. As settlements continue to grow, our communities increasingly rely on police stations to safeguard local areas, yet the infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth. Addressing this gap is essential to ensuring effective policing and maintaining community safety.”
MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Hon. Xolile Nqatha also commented on points raised from stakeholders expounding, “We remain committed to addressing crime across the province, including in the 20 priority areas of Nelson Mandela Bay. Several interventions have already been implemented to reduce crime levels in identified hotspots. True success will only be achieved when the people of Nelson Mandela Bay feel as safe as those in other provinces. Every achievement whether reopening a previously closed centre, garage, or business brings us closer to that goal. It is only when our residents feel genuinely safe in their homes and communities that we can consider our work complete. Regarding the issues raised today, in the interest of time, we will address some of the other areas at a later stage. We remain committed to engaging with all stakeholders. We are determined to build on the progress already achieved and to ensure that safety and security continue to improve across Nelson Mandela Bay.”
The Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, delivered the keynote address and outlined the way forward.
“We are ready to make progress, and I have no doubt that the safety and security of our people is now our number one priority. Without safety and security, we cannot achieve the levels of economic growth that are necessary, nor can we fully realise the promises of our Constitution and the rights it enshrines. The freedoms guaranteed to every citizen depend fundamentally on safety and security. We also understand that the high levels of crime we face are rooted in historical legacies of underdevelopment, marginalisation, and discrimination. Lower levels of economic growth mean that we are not always generating the resources needed to ensure that every community has the police stations, vehicles, and officers required to maintain law and order. We must remain focused, committed, and hopeful in the promise of South Africa. Our work today is to ensure that this promise of a safe, secure, and thriving nation is realised for every South African. The purpose of this committee is to bring together government, law enforcement, and community leadership to tackle crime collaboratively, identify practical solutions, and ensure that our communities feel safer and more secure.“
The Acting Minister of Police urges everyone to collaborate with the police service and with community leaders to enhance safety, station by station. This is both achievable and realistic, but it requires active commitment and participation in this partnership. Meetings like today’s are an important step in building the momentum needed to make this vision a reality.
