The Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association and SA Police Service have agreed to work together to combat crime in Nelson Mandela Bay.
A group of community members led by the organisation marched to the New Brighton police station to handover a three page petition on Tuesday.
The demands include an increase in visible policing in townships, prompt response time by police and the protection of emergency services when they're called out in communities.
The association's Mbulelo Gqupe said this mass action was driven by crime statistics which have indicated that Nelson Mandela Bay's crime rate is reaching a state of chaos.
"If we are working together with the police then automatically things will go according to our wishes that's how we think it's going to be effective. We are going to make sure that we come time and again to sit down and discuss with police to make sure crime is going down rather than going up" he said.
Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veteran Association also raised concerns of police members working in cahoots with criminals.
New Brighton Station Commander, Brigadier Phillip Salukazana, responded to the allegations after signing the petition.
"We leave no stone unturned, we will be handling the situation deservingly . We don't have a place for them in the South African Police Service not at all. We do not need criminals. We would appreciate if they start packing and going now" Salukazana said.
