Australia: ‘Tribal Divisions’ Delay African Gang Taskforce
25th February 2018
A taskforce of African community leaders set up to help Victoria Police deal with Melbourne’s youth crime problem is yet to choose its members because of tribal divisions, according to the chief commissioner.
The African-Australian Community Taskforce was announced by Victoria Police last month following a spate of crimes involving African youth. It has been charged with providing information to police on emerging issues and hot spots, allowing officers to act swiftly, and establishing a more efficient channel for police to engage with community leaders and receive advice on preventing youth crimes and antisocial behaviour.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton today said that although the taskforce had met a few times, it was yet to finalise its membership due to “internal political issues”.
He agreed there was concern growing within Victoria Police that tribal divisions between Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups had caused delays in formally establishing the taskforce.
Ask yourself why two tribes from the South Sudan should be causing problems in Melbourne.