I found your front page headline, “Reality series’ kidnapping fears”, (Cape Argus, yesterday), somewhat disconcerting and generally portraying the City in a negative light.
The City of Cape Town has an excellent track record of governance, especially tackling the scourge of crime, and collectively our law enforcement agencies with civilian neighbourhood watches are doing their utmost to combat crime, facilitating employment to accelerate our ailing local economy.
The threat of kidnapping is prevalent more so in Gauteng, and we admit that this scourge has reared its ugly head in the Western Cape, but our law enforcement agencies are stategising to counteract this.
The horrendous attack on a group filming a music video and rape of eight women at the mine dump in Krugersdorp – allegedly by zamazamas – was tragic, and we lament this incident.
But we need to be resilient and move forward. Let us not allow crime to cripple us.
When the Western Cape has so many firsts in South Africa, and our City of Cape Town Mayco member for economic opportunities, James Vos, works flat out to develop our local economy, I believe that your esteemed publication should not sensationalise, potential “kidnapping fears” on your front page.
It adds fear and stifles economic growth.
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security in the City, is liaising with all law enforcement agencies in developing strategies to combat kidnappings.
We all need to be responsible, on guard and vigilant.
Let’s highlight the positive initiatives in the Mother City, boosting tourism, the film industry and job creation as we enter 2023.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
In other words, although life changes are inevitable, we can also initiate personal change so we can rise to the challenge and become a bigger and better society as a result.
* Councillor Mark RH Kleinschmidt, Kenwyn.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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