Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has condemned the violent acts that took place in Rustenburg when a group of people went on the rampage, burning buildings in the area.
On Wednesday night, residents torched six buildings believed to be drug dens.
“No matter how justified people might think they are, taking the law into their own hands does not make them different to the people they accuse of being criminals. People must know we are a democratic State, with competent institutions that can resolve all concerns,” Minister Mbalula said on Thursday.
Minister Mbalula has instructed police to bring order in Rustenburg and work with the people to fight crime.
Already, North West police are on the ground trying to normalise the situation.
The Minister in October 2017 visited Vanderbiljpark to respond to some reported drug activities taking place on some properties.
Two days ago, the Minister shut down three brothel houses in East London in the Eastern Cape.
“We cannot coexist with criminals. Police must smoke criminals out of our communities but our people must work closely with the police. If the local police fail them, they must escalate the matter.
“There are many people of goodwill. We need to pull in one direction and comprehensively respond to acts of crime,” Minister Mbalula said. - SAnews.gov.za
