Police discuss safety with foreign traders

The SAPS in Kathorus have confirmed that they recently held a meeting with local foreign shop owners to discuss safety issues.

Asked if the meeting had anything to do with the recent call for a “march against foreigners” called by the residents of Mamelodi, in Pretoria, Capt Ndobe told Kathorus MAIL that the meeting was more about the safety of the local traders in the townships.

“Our investigations have indicated that a large percentage of business crimes targeting local businesses are in fact aimed at foreign and local spaza shop owners. We as the police therefore decided to call a meeting to address safety issues with them,” explained Capt Ndobe, who said this was a regular policing feature by the police to combat crime in the area.

According to Capt Ndobe, some of the issues discussed were:

· Spaza shops should take precautions when dealing with their customers.

· They should not operate like supermarkets and allow clients into shops.

· They should serve customers through safety grills installed at their shops.

· They should make sure that they keep cluster policing vehicle numbers handy at all times and report any suspicious activities immediately.

Capt Ndobe said the police would be holding regular meetings with foreign traders around Kathorus to ensure that their anti-crime campaigns are well heeded by the traders. “We plan to hold meetings with them at least once every month,” said Ndobe.