This extract is from remarks made by Athol Trollip in accepting a memorandum from the Northern Areas community in protest against gangsterism and crime.
Yesterday Mayor Jordaan admitted that the Metro has no plan to launch a Metro Police Force, no plan to tackle gangs and no plan to curb crime. Now that the DA has this week launched a plan to make NMB safer, suddenly the ANC government is scrambling to find its own plan, which Jordaan has demanded be drafted within the next few weeks.
Why do our children continue to die at the hands of gangs because the ANC has ignored this problem for so many years?
Over five people have died this week alone as a result of gang-related shootings!
Today I accept this memorandum against crime and gangsterism in Bethelsdorp with determination and humility.
The DA will take it up, to the fullest attention of the ANC government, and it will be a motivation to bring change to NMB after next year’s election.
But for the DA to deliver change in government, the DA must be elected to govern NMB in next year’s election. From the very first day in office, a DA government in NMB will start delivery and will crack down on crime and gangs.
In government, the DA will introduce a Metro Police Force with anti-gang units and anti-drug units. The DA has done this where we govern already, and we are ready to do it in NMB.
Increasing the number of CCTV cameras, improving lighting and clearing bushes will form part of the DA’s plan to fight crime and gangsterism from day one.
While we hear a lot about “taking back the city” we are yet to see a single response vehicle here in the Northern Areas. We see no taking back of anything in the Northern Areas, other than the continued taking of lives by gangsters and criminals.
This ANC administration does way too much talking, and no walking the talk.
A caring government, committed to real freedom, delivers on its promises and treats all communities equally.
The DA has fought tirelessly over the years to bring an end to gangsterism and crime in these communities. Through the provincial legislature and local council, we have been instrumental in the establishment of satellite police offices in some areas. In addition to this, we have lobbied local SAPS offices to increase visibility in certain crime hot spots.
The DA, in government, will deliver change that will create safe and strong communities. This sort of change can’t happen overnight, but with a DA government, it will certainly happen.
I have spent over six weeks walking the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay getting to 60 wards in 60 days – Together we are building a blueprint from which the DA will create a world-class Metro in NMB.
Our journey towards fairness and opportunity has only just begun. This Metro can be great – I will accept nothing less, because our residents deserve more.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- South African Artist MARTHINUS Releases Debut Single - 6 November 2026
- MARTHINUS Releases Heartfelt Debut ‘i miss us not trying’ - 6 November 2026
- LaserWeeder Hire Runs Laser Units for SA Vegetable Growers - 6 November 2026
- HandPrinter Art Runs Linocut Workshops and Beginner Kits - 6 November 2026
- Feature Equipment Adds AM.CO.ZA Tooling and Laser Spares Shelf - 6 November 2026
