The FF Plus in the Free State demands answers regarding the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary committee tasked with addressing cable theft and vandalism in the province.
The Free State Premier, Mr Mxolisi Dukwana, said in reply to a question by the FF Plus in the Free State Legislature that the police established a committee to combat such crimes.
In his reply, Dukwana also indicated that Matjhabeng, Mangaung, Moqhaka, Masilonyana, Setsotho and Metsimaholo are regarded as hot spots where theft and vandalism are rampant.
Considering the persistent wave of cable theft sweeping through, among other places, Bloemfontein, Welkom, Odendaalsrus and Steynsrus, it does not seem like the committee is succeeding in its objective.
The FF Plus demands that Dukwana must indicate what the committee has achieved in the province so far, and that he must also take a stand on the possibility that well-organised crime syndicates are behind the crimes.
In his initial reply, Dukwana evaded the possibility of syndicates.
Residents in these municipalities are frequently affected by these types of crimes which, in addition to load shedding, have an enormous impact on socio-economic circumstances.
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