Crime on the rise in Vosloorus
Communication official at Vosloorus Police Station Capt Piet Rossouw said they are experiencing more and more cases of serious crimes where firearms are involved.
“We appeal to the Kathorus MAIL as our partners in combatting crime to assist us by informing the community of this serious crime tendency.
“Illegal firearms pose a serious threat to the safety and security of law-abiding citizens, hence an offensive approach to deal decisively with the proliferation of illicit firearms in South Africa,” said Rossouw.
He said firearms are mostly used in committing crimes ranging from murders, rapes, business robberies, car hijackings to cash in transit heists or better known as contact crimes.
“The majority of these illegal firearms come from legal owners who were either negligent or robbed of their firearms which end up being used for criminal activities.
“Every firearm owner should understand and follow firearm safety practices and be fully aware of the responsibilities of firearm ownership,” said Rossouw.
He said if a firearm is lost or stolen, the South African Police Service must by law investigate charges of negligence against the owner.
“The Act lays the foundation for an effective system of firearm control and management, helping the state to remove illegally possessed firearms from society and to punish the illegal criminal use of a firearm.
“We at Vosloorus SAPS appeal to the community to assist us to get rid of this crime by giving us information about the perpetrators,” he added.
He said without the public taking hands together they will not be able to make Vosloorus a safer place for all of us.
The following are a few basic rules regarding firearm safety:
*Always keep your firearm with you or it should be stored in a safe.
*It must be available when a police officer requests you to produce it.
*Firearms must be completely covered. It must be carried in a prescribed holster.
*Never leave firearms under pillows, in drawers or in cupboards where children may
find it.
*Firearms should not be stored under car seats or in the car boot.
*Children should never have access to firearms or the key to a firearm safe.
In conclusion, Rossouw said there are so many children who have lost their lives through accidental discharging of a firearm.
“In the most cases the incidents can be directly linked to the negligence of the owner of the firearm.”
Anyone with information about any person possessing an illegal firearm should contact the police at 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.
Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Who can I contact?
· SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111
· SAPS EMERGENCY LINE: 10111
· SAPS Vosloorus : 011 724 1004/5
· CSC Commander : 076 205 2043
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