Bushbuckridge community have told the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe that they want all taverns built next to schools to be shut down.
The community told the MEC during a Safety and Security Imbizo that was held at Hlamalani open ground on Saturday [14 May 2011].
The purpose of the Imbizo was to mobilize community members to participate in government's programmes of crime prevention and to also solicit community's views on safety and security matters.
Communities of Hlamalani and around the Bushbuckridge Municipality attended the event. One community member told the MEC that taverns built next to schools were disturbing teaching and learning.
The community member complained that during school breaks, their children would go and drink at the taverns.
The community also complained that the police stations where they report crime were too far and that resulted in police officers not arriving in time when called by the community.
They also pleaded that vehicles should be added in police stations to make it easier for police to operate. They added that they need recreation facilities for their youth in order to reduce the level of crime.
However, the community also appreciated MEC Shongwe's efforts for making sure that crime is reduced in the province. They said there is an improvement since the MEC was deployed to the department.
Responding to the complaints, MEC Shongwe told the community of Hlamalani that he was aware of the number of taverns operating in the Bushbuckridge Municipality.
Shongwe said although tavern owners had licenses to operate, they should always comply and adhere to the terms and conditions of their licenses.
"We are still continuing with our Overall Friday project and we will continue raiding taverns. We cannot allow tavern owners to operate while they sell alcohol to children and those who open until the early hours while their licenses states that they should close earlier. We will arrest those who do not comply," said Shongwe.
He added that vehicles were handed over to police stations recently and said he was not aware that police officers were still making an excuse about the shortage of vehicles.
He encouraged the community to report all corrupt police officers and those who misuse state resources.
Shongwe concluded that public participation events will be improved to make sure that they are no longer talk shows, but there will be reports made to address issues raised by communities. He said public participation events must have a meaningful impact towards the development of the province.