Ekurhuleni North Cluster SAPS is looking for suspects, hijacked vehicles and vehicles used during robberies and hijackings.
Rabie Ridge SAPS corporate communications officer Captain Mofana Masela said this month most SAPS stations in the cluster were inundated by crimes where valuable items were lost through robberies. He named the cases reported at SAPS stations in the North cluster in August:
1. In Sebenza, a Toyota Corolla (DX 43 SW GP) was hijacked in Gemsbok Street while the complainant was opening his gate. leaving his car keys in the ignition. He was threatened with a firearm and his car was taken.
2. In Kempton Park, two African males approached two cousins who were relaxing in a Honda Ballade (FT 65 YK GP) on the street. The suspects threatened the victims with a firearm and the car was hijacked after a struggle. The driver of the car was shot in the leg.
3. In Rabie Ridge, a Ford Ranger belonging to WBHO was hijacked. Two African males threatened the driver with a firearm and took the car, a cellphone. The suspects dropped the victims off in Phumulani.
4. In Norkem Park, a white Toyota Tazz (PGR 292 GP) was used when suspects robbed a victim and tied him with shoelaces and threatened him with a firearm. They took valuables from the house. They also took a TV and cellphones.
5 In Kempton Park, the complainant was taking a child to a crèche when two African males approached her and hijacked her of her white BMW (ZCN 251 GP) and cash.
6. In Tembisa there was a house robbery in which five African males entered a yard in Zone Four in Winnie Mandela. Two of the suspects stood guard outside with firearms while the other three suspects went into backyard rooms. They forced the door of the first room open and took a plasma TV and cash. In the second room, the tenant (36) opened the door to see what was going on and was shot. In another room, a 26 years old victim was also shot; his wife (22) was hit by the same bullet which came through the window. Masela said police are investigating three counts of attempted murder.
7. In Kaalfontein, eight unknown males approached a security guard at Nhleneko Construction. They tied him up with shoelaces and took valuables, the registration number of the car they were using is unknown.
“If our communities can start to safeguard themselves by putting burglar bars on their windows and install strong security gates, most robberies can be prevented.
“The use of neighbourhood watch personnel should be prioritised. The community should also utilise Whatsapp to send out crime alerts and have whistles to blow when a crime is committed.
“At least two houses around a crime scene can help. This could prevent neighbours from being attacked by robbers.
“We also need to utilise informers to remove these firearms from the community, more community participation in crime prevention efforts will be a great help. The police invite more community participation to form an integrated police unit to curb this crime and make our communities feel safe,” said Masela.
