SAPS increases visibility to tackle crime

At a recent Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) meeting, Colonel Bongani Dlamini, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, said crimes are increasing as the festive season approaches.

“This time of the year is hectic. We urge everyone to be careful. We are patrolling the precinct and have increased visibility. Officers are working and I am also in the precinct during the day and night to see what is going on,” said Col Dlamini.

He said murders in areas such as Denver have increased. Most of the murders appear to be related to faction fighting. “Murders are taking place mainly at the settlements and hostels. We are investigating the cases and have made arrests,” said Col Dlamini.

Residents in Malvern were urged to beware of a gang, nicknamed the balaclava gang. “This gang targets people living in backrooms. They are armed with knives and crowbars. They steal cellular phones and money. We are working around the clock to arrest this gang,” said Col Dlamini.

Criminals are still targeting residents who park their vehicles in the street in Kensington. Residents are urged to park behind locked gates, in garages or in safer areas if possible.

Col Dlamini said criminals are still following people from the airport and robbing them at hotels in areas such as Bruma. “We appeal to the community to give us information. There have also been a number of business robberies. We have made some arrests,” he said.

Col Dlamini assured the public that the Cleveland SAPS is working closely with the Jeppe SAPS to tackle crimes believed to be committed using the same modus operandi. “We communicate with the Jeppe SAPS regularly. We have been doing this for a long time because we share precinct boundaries and are faced with similar crimes. The sector manager for Kensington in the Cleveland SAPS precinct also communicates with the sector manager from the Jeppe SAPS to discuss crimes in the suburb which falls into both precincts,” he said.

The I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) recently called on the Jeppe and Cleveland SAPS to treat Kensington as one suburb to ensure effective and productive policing.

This suburb is policed by two police stations due to the precinct boundary line.

Mrs Lornette Joseph, the Ilka chairperson, said the boundary line is a worry because police officers mentioned overlapping areas of concern at public meetings.

People also do not know who to contact in an emergency because they are not sure which station they are served by. She also requested that one public meeting, instead of two, be held to discuss crime concerns.

Ilka proposed the two police stations and CPF’s bring the two authorities closer to the public.

Last week Col Dlamini urged the public to rest assured that both stations are working closely and to not think that crimes are not being addressed. “When we make arrests, for example in suburbs such as Kensington, we communicate with the Jeppe SAPS to determine if the suspects are linked to crimes in their precinct,” he said.