Concern about crime
Residents have raised concerns about the crime rate in suburbs that fall under the Jeppe SAPS.
A local resident, who did not want her name published, said something needs to be done to address what she believes is an increase in crime in suburbs such as Bez Valley and Troyeville.
The resident said she, and residents she has been talking to, are concerned about the number of robberies in these suburbs, several of which end up with injuries or death.
“Staying in the area is frightening. Although people think these areas are fine, they are not. We are not safe in our homes. Although it seems to outside people like there are no violent crimes in this area, there actually are,” she said.
A frustrated Clr Carlos da Rocha, from ward 66, again forwarded his concerns to the Jeppe SAPS management requesting immediate feedback.
The EXPRESS previously reported that Clr Da Rocha sent an e-mail to management regarding crime.
He sent a second e-mail after being a victim of an attempted hijacking on July 24.
After not receiving feedback from management, he contacted the EXPRESS stating that he is at his wits end.
“My ward is serviced by three police stations. There has been a serious escalation in crime in the Jeppe SAPS precinct.
“In the last two months, I have taken note of crimes that took place within a 200 metre radius of my own house in Judith’s Paarl. I can attest to three attempted hijackings where firearms were used and one hijacking within 50 metres of my house, where a person was shot several times for his vehicle. The person died. There was also a murder that took place no more than 200 metres from my house. An elderly Chinese woman was killed on August 15.
“To me, it clearly indicates that the Jeppe SAPS has gone on an extended leave. They are doing absolutely nothing to change these statistics,” said Clr Da Rocha.
He added that if he is aware of so much crime, which includes house burglaries in his immediate surroundings, how many more crimes are happening in the precinct that he is unaware of.
He requested a response in writing from Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the Jeppe SAPS station commander, on what management is going to do to address crime.
@JoziReporter
