SA citizens await crime-fighting plans at SONA

Crime scene.

As South Africans ready themselves for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this week, border crime remains a concern for communities along the borderline between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Some say the SONA must address the security situation at the border.

Residents and business people in Niani along the Limpopo river say criminals from neighbouring countries operate with impunity, stealing their vehicles and livestock.

Kiran Medukonduri from Mulale, outside Musina, is one of the crime victims in the area.

He explains how one of his vehicles got hijacked and taken to Zimbabwe in 2024.

“So, I got down off my bakkie and I tried to open the gate. So, the moment I turned back, I saw a guy pointing down at me, standing next to the bakkie. He was asking me for the keys. And then he started driving. There were other two guys again with firearms. So, they took all my belongings – my laptop, my phone, everything. They dropped me there in the bush. They took off even my shoes, everything, so that I can’t even walk. Then I started walking towards the village, looking for the road,” he says.

This, as communities affected by high levels of crime across South Africa will be hoping that President Ramaphosa will announce concrete plans to improve safety and tackle crime, during his SONA on Thursday.

One of the provinces that have been plagued by gangsterism, drug abuse and high levels of murders, is the Western Cape.

Dozens of people were murdered in the month of January alone, with many of the murders being reported in the City of Cape Town.

Residents say they are living in fear.

“When I arrived at this area, eight years ago, it was a peaceful community. Yes, we did have crime here and there, but not at this rate,” says one of the residents.