Taverns in Tantyi location in Grahamstown are crime hot spots. Incidents of rape, assault and robbery havebecome a concern over the past few weeks. We speak to Tantyi residents and tavern owners about their experiences, and how to combat crime in the township.

The tavern owners and residents thought the anti-crime units and community patrols were random, not particularly effective, unsustainable and sometimes abused their power.

Ndumiso Madinda, owner of EmaZothsweni Bottle Store in Tantyi, (popularly known as Dinangoe) said there is no police visibility in the area. “I sometimes have to intervene when patrons fight, and resolve the problem. I do not allow them to come in with their weapons. I just just ask to surrender their weapons, and give it back to them when they are leaving the tavern,” said Madinda.

He also said police should patrol the areas to ensure the safety of the patrons. “Police should assist us in monitoring the situation, especially during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, where there will be quite a number of visitors coming to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival,” he said.

Madinda also added that their taverns are a soft target to criminals as they are being broken into. “My tavern has been broken into several times, and police do not seem to do anything about it although I provided them with the information. I urge the police to act on these incidents,” said Madinda.

His sentiments were echoed by another Tantyi tavern owner, who did not want to named, who said police visibility is important as crime occurred when patrons were on their way home from taverns or shebeens. He said there has never been a single incident on his tavern. “I don't serve alcohol to someone who is drunk, because I know where that will lead to. I just ask them to leave my property for their safety,” said the tavern owner.

Thembakazi Zibi of “L” Street in Tantyi Location says the tavern owners only exacerbate the situation in that some of them just order people to get out of their taverns, and fights then happen outside on the street.

“What is going to happen in the street when two people fight?" asked Zibi before adding that the owner should order one fighter out of the tavern, and let the other stay behind, or maybe provide transport for the other patron. She said it is safer to run to a nearby house than to a tavern owner when in danger.

“Tavern owners do not want police in their premises. They are quick to tell you not to call the police to their taverns, saying they do not want trouble,” said Zibi. She even accused owners of taking sides when trying to resolve a fight.

Zibi said police should patrol the streets on weekends, especially those that are near the taverns. “Police must be visible in those areas, and even search people for weapons. I think in that way, we can reduce the high rate of crime in Tantyi,” she explained.

Another Tantyi elder, Jingisani Xashi, agreed with Zibi. He said police should patrol the streets every ten minutes. He said crime is rife in the area. “There's crime in this area in every weekend. Just two weeks ago a man was robbed of his cellphone in this area, and another man was stabbed,” said Xashi. He said criminals must be locked up, and not come back to the community again until they complete their sentences.

He recommended the re-establishment of street committees to protect the communities.

Attempts to get comment from the police were unsuccessful.