REMARKS BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AT THE MAIN DAY OF SANDLENI INKHUNDLA REVIVAL __________________________________________ VENERABLE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR – SHISELWENI HON. MP. OF SANDLENI INKHUNDLA – MR. G. HLOPHE CHURCH LEADERS MEMBERS OF THE POLICE SERVICE BRETHREN 1. Introduction I am honoured to be with you here at Sandleni, during the main service of revivals that have been held since Friday evening. I stand before you, not only in my capacity as Commissioner of Police invited to be Guest speaker in today’s service, but also as a child of God and heir to the heavenly Kingdom. 1 2. Significance of the Revivals/Prayer services Brethren, we are grateful to the organizers of the revivals, for coming up with the idea of prayer services to pray for divine power to overcome specific crimes identified as a cause for concern. The crimes which are:- Murder, Assaults, Rape, House Breaking and Theft, are not only a problem in Sandleni or the Shiselweni region, but the country as a whole. Indeed, the crime problems we are faced with as a Police Service and community, can only be brought under control if we seek Almighty God’s intervention and guidance. We can ill afford to rely on our own understanding, as human understanding and knowledge has its limitations, yet God’s understanding is infinite and surpasses all. Putting God first in everything we do, is 2 also in line with the scripture as articulated in Proverbs 9:10, which states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. We therefore consider the revivals which have been held here as very significant, as they highlighted on the power of prayer. As a Police Service, we also believe in the power of prayer. The biblical story on the fall of the walls of Jericho holds special significance to us. The walls fell not on account of weapons of mass destruction, but because of incessant prayer and singing. Furthermore, as Christians we subscribe to the scripture in Corinthians which states that “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world 3 does. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but have divine power to demolish strongholds”. 3. Problematic Crimes prayed for during the revivals Some of the crimes that occur on a day to day basis, point to the fact that our social fabric is decaying. There are human beings who are now driven by animalistic instincts. This is evidenced by the chilling murders, some of a ritual nature, rapes and other acts of violence targeted at the vulnerable groups, house breaking and thefts and assaults. 3.1 Murder The chilling murder cases reported on routinely in the mass media, signal that people are indeed losing their sense of humanity. They are losing the conscience or inner voice that characterize all 4 human beings. People are will-nilly burning or stabbing others to death. We are thus appealing to people to desist from killing one another like animals and respect the sanctity of human life. People must control their anger no matter the circumstances, as killing someone is not the answer to any problem, but is sure to compound and open the leeway to even mere serious problems. Other murder incidents besetting our society, are those of a ritual nature, especially targeting albinos. This is patently the evil work of local and foreign criminal elements operating in a syndicated fashion, perpetrating a crime which takes the country back to the dark ages. It is 5 really a great cause for concern that in this day and age, there are people who still hold barbaric and archaic beliefs on the potency of human body parts as muti charms. Whilst praying for God’s intervention so that people may see the light and desist from these evil tendencies, the onus also lies with communities out there, to do the right thing and proffer information to the Police so that all culprits involved are rounded up and brought to book. 3.2 Rape The prevalence of rape cases continues to be very high. Even toddlers are falling prey to males out to satiate their animalism fuelled sexual libidos. Rape is indeed a very serious crime, that leaves the victim traumatized and emotionally scarred. 6 We decry the fact that even men of the cloth have joined the fray and are fingered in rape cases. We must therefore pray that such an evil practice is brought under control. 3.3 Assaults Assaults are a result of the general thuggery and gangsterism that characterize certain elements of society. Innocent people are attacked with all assortments of dangerous weapons such as bushknives, pangas and even robbed of valuables. Whilst as a Police Service, we are doing all to bring such incidents under control, through intensifying 7 patrols in hot-spot areas, we still need to commit such problems to God Almighty. 3.4 House Breaking and Theft House breaking and theft is a crime that has historically been a cause for concern. Business premises and private homes are broken into and commodities stolen. People no longer respect private property. To this end, we appeal to the community to report people with suspicious tendencies to the Police, such as a fondness to move around at night, as they may be involved in House Breaking and Theft. Furthermore, we request people not to buy stolen goods as by so doing, they provide a lucrative market to criminals. 8 4. Conclusion Brethren, we thank you once again for joining hands with the Police, in praying to the Prince of Peace, for divine intervention to put crimes of concern under control. This prayer service epitomizes the spirit of support and partnership, which is vital if we are to win the war against crime. I thank you!! 9