Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English by Vivian Myoli
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Rustenburg has intensified its fight against crime and drug abuse following a community information-table outreach in Rustenburg North (see photo here).
The engagement focused on the growing threats of street crime and the spread of Nyaope, with residents using the platform to share firsthand experiences of muggings, handbag and cell phone snatching, and street robberies that have made daily life unsafe.
Community members confirmed that crime levels in the area remain unacceptably high and that residents are increasingly fearful in their own neighbourhoods. These testimonies underline the urgent need for coordinated action between communities and law enforcement.
The DA is further alarmed by reports that Nyaope is openly distributed, in some cases for free, every Sunday morning at the Rustenburg Taxi Rank (see photo here). This shocking reality points to a breakdown in law enforcement and a failure by government to curb drug syndicates operating in plain sight.
Rustenburg continues to record some of the highest crime figures in the North West and ranks among the most crime-affected municipalities nationally. This is the direct result of collapsing governance and poor leadership that allow lawlessness to flourish.
The DA therefore calls for:
- Stronger cooperation between SAPS, Community Policing Forums, and neighbourhood watches;
- Targeted operations against Nyaope dealers and drug syndicates;
- Visible policing in crime hotspots, including the taxi rank precinct;
- Support for residents and businesses affected by crime; and
- Consistent enforcement to restore safety and public confidence.
Public safety is not negotiable. Communities deserve streets where residents can walk without fear and young people are protected from drugs that destroy lives.
The DA remains committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with residents of Rustenburg to confront crime, dismantle drug networks and build safer communities.
Together, we can reclaim our streets and restore dignity and safety to Rustenburg.