THE safety of commuters using the Gautrain and Metrorail stations in Rhodesfield seem to be compromised by the jurisdiction of law enforcers in the area.
Bombela personnel are only allowed to operate within the Gautrain Station fences, while the police should look after the surrounding areas.
According to a victim, who was mugged on May 6, the police’s lack of interest in the security in the area creates a major problem.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, responded after reading about the mugging of a young girl at these stations in Kempton Express.
“My heart bled when I read about the girl who was mugged. Just breaks my heart that we continue to pay taxes and yet we don’t seem to get services or our money’s worth.
“After my gruesome experience I decided to take action that would prevent anyone else from experiencing something that horrible. However, my attempt fell to deaf ears,” he said.
The man, who lives in Rhodesfield, was attacked by two men, one armed with a gun and the other with a knife, just after 6pm at the corner of Ventura and Catalina streets.
He lost his iphone, a second phone, external hard drive, the jacket he was wearing, his belt, all his bank cards and his Gautrain card containing R199.
“Yet, I am lucky to have escaped with my life and only bruised ribs and the trauma.
“What I find most disheartening is that I am not the first to fall victim to these vagabonds. A number of people have fallen victim, including a woman staying at our complex. I find it mind boggling that the police have taken no action as it would help to station a vehicle at that corner.
“I find it equally disturbing that my attempt to report the matter to the police has yielded zero empathy, zero help and no case number,” he said.
He also approached Bombela about the incident, who confirmed the area of concern was outside the legal jurisdiction of the Gautrain.
“We as Gautrain have a very good relationship with various third parties in law-enforcement and engage with them on a weekly basis. We can assure you that from our side we are doing all the law allows us to do,” he was told. Bombela has, in addition to its interface meetings with the police, also called on the Gautrain Management Agency (province) to assist in the matter of security outside the Gautrain station precinct.
“Various security awareness campaigns are being run in the stations and parking facilities and we will update our passengers with any additional security related information as we receive it.
Capt Jethro Mtshali, Kempton Park SAPS spokesman, said the station commander of Kempton Park SAPS, Brig Johannes Marx, acknowledged the complaint. The victim is advised to visit Brig Marx to obtain more information and have the matter investigated. He can be reached on 011-393-8898 or 082-449-7447.
“We take note of the concerns and any hot spot area is addressed by the police daily as crime is discussed daily and manpower and vehicles directed to hot spot areas. The police can, however, not daily post a vehicle to be stationed at any specific road or T-junction. Special operations are executed weekly in the area with members in uniform and private clothes to ensure safety,” Mtshali said.
The community of Rhodesfield is also actively involved in patrolling and sharing information with one another and the police on a WhatsApp group.
