News of yesteryear

These were some of the local stories making headlines in years gone by.

• Thieves’ hideaway

The Brakpan police have appealed to the Crime Intelligence Office (area level) to take action in the area of the former Department of Home Affairs building, on the corner of High Street and Kitzinger Avenue.

The premises are now vandalised and derelict.

The police are experiencing major problems concerning theft from motor vehicles and robberies, with many taking place near this building.

The area has become notorious for muggings and the police have issued warnings to the community through the press.

Last Saturday, just after 1pm, Brakpan resident Charlene Vorster parked her car in the area.

Three men came up to the vehicle as she was getting out, took her cellphone and then ran across the road to take refuge in the building.

A resident of a nearby block of flats told the Herald that only 10 minutes later a woman in a car with a young baby was approached by several men, who opened the car door, got inside and demanded cigarettes.

One man grabbed her cellphone and tore off her earrings, while another tried desperately, without success, to get rings off her fingers.

The woman struggled and the men fled, also into the derelict building.

Another woman had her purse snatched by a hawker after buying onions from him outside the building.

She says he also ran into the premises.

Residents in the area are fed up with the increasing crime rate and are convinced that the vandalised building is a haven for thieves.

“We need a mobile police station or the building should be demolished,” said one victim of theft.

Police would like to see the premises demolished or completely fenced off, making it a safe area for the public.

They are awaiting a response from the Crime Intelligence Office.

Read: News of yesteryear

• Vlakfontein houses to be re-allocated

The Ekurhuleni metro has decided that the houses in Vlakfontein Village be re-allocated to first home buyers and that first preference be given to needy people who are on the area waiting list.

Vlakfontein Village belonged to the former Vlakfontein Gold Mining Company.

During an inspection/valuation undertaken on behalf of the Brakpan Transitional Local Council, it was found that the essential services infrastructure was vandalised and the condition of roads, buildings and the surrounding area had deteriorated.

A total of 98 dwellings were in the village, varying in size.

The former mine manager’s and assistance mine manager’s houses were demolished.

The once excellent swimming pool is damaged beyond repair.

The report stated that most of the dwellings were inhabited illegally and two even used for informal business.

• Operation Midnight nets 13 suspects

The East Rand Serious and Violent Crime Uunit conducted a special operation of the East Rand, from 11pm to 6am on September 18, to trace outstanding suspects.

During the operation, 13 wanted suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes and an unlicensed firearm and a Jetta were seized.

Although the majority of suspects were arrested in the Brackendowns area, others were arrested in connection with crimes committed in Brakpan, KwaThema and Elsburg.

• Local learners test their numeracy skills

Future mathematicians from the region tested their skills in the regional finals of the Gauteng Provincial Department of Education’s Numeracy Challenge at the Benoni Teachers’ Centre on September 18.

The competition is an initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Authority to raise the awareness of and motivate learners to excel in mathematics.

A total of 21 learners from several schools, including Brakpan, competed in a gruelling written exam to determine their abilities.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts  (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za

or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

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