Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Residents of Bergville in northern KwaZulu- Natal, who are fed up with the crime in their area, have asked the province's MEC for safety and security, Bheki Cele to intervene in their plight.

Residents, devastated by housebreakings, rapes and muggings, say the police cannot stem crime.

Recently, scores of women claimed they had been robbed by conmen who sprayed them with a "muti" that allegedly caused them to become dizzy.

The men then took the women to a bank where they accessed private PIN numbers and drew cash from their bank accounts.

Residents say robberies are on the increase in the town and people are robbed every day.

A furniture store was cleaned out of all electrical equipment and several homes were burgled.

Resident Thembeka Manci said: "The criminals are not from this area and it is difficult for us to work with the police to identify them."

Police spokesman Charmaine Struwig said they were working hard to root out criminals in the town.

Cele urged residents to use their community policing forums to address the matter.

"If this does not work, they can contact the safety and liaison office.

"I will act immediately to address their problems."