KOBUS writes:
I would like to put a stop to criminal activity. One of my main concerns in this town is, are the police with the criminals?
I pass through Casuarina Street each morning. Just after H&G is a criminal hot spot where many people, including myself, were mugged in front of the flats. The thugs normally stand around the flats’ stairs or near the second tree
They are there every morning close to payday (from the20th until the 30th). Once they have made a score they disappear and you won’t see them around for about a week.
The second criminal activity is drugs for sale on the street. I get irritated when some random person asks me, “What’ s up, I got good stuff, what you want?” If you just walk past, they try to get your attention by shouting, “Hold up!”
My concern is that children pass there every day too, so who is buying the drugs? Police officers also stop at the same spot and speak in a friendly manner to the dealers.
My third concern is, can you trust your local police team? If you try to lay a charge against a homeless criminal, you won’t get very far, as happened on the day I was mugged. I was mugged around about 7:50am. No cars passing or pedestrians. After the criminals had walked down Long Street, a metro police car stopped at the traffic light and I got them to back me as I wanted my belongings back.
They caught two suspects and we went to the police station. The police officers were not willing to help and did not arrest them. The criminals walked out of the police station. I left shortly after with no case opened.
I truly believe criminals have been given the right to do as they please. We do have the right to protection but do not get it from the Kempton Park police service.
Small petty crime will roll over into bigger, more serious crime. So why not stop it before it spreads like wildfire?
It is disturbing to see a town turn into a mass crime hot spot where nothing gets done to stop or prevent it.
Capt Jethro Mtshali, Kempton Park SAPS spokesman, replies:
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the alleged crimes and especially the interest shown in the fight against crime.
To get involved in the fight against crime, the reader is advised to join the community policing forum or reservists.
On the issue of the writer being the victim of crime himself, it is regrettable that no case was registered as alleged, but at the same time, it is not mentioned as to when the incident took place.
It also not mentioned who the police officers were who allegedly refused to open a case.
It is important not to paint all police officers with the same brush, as we have good and dedicated officers who perform their duties with diligence and who are committed to serving the community with pride.
We are willing to root out all the officers who are in cahoots with criminals when all relevant information can be furnished to us. We want to assure you that corrective measures will be taken to bring them to book. We depend on information from the community as we believe residents are the eyes and ears of the police.
The police conduct daily stop-and-search operations in the area mentioned and suspects are arrested for crimes such as possession of drugs and robbery. A number of them have appeared in court.
We want to stress that we appreciate the information supplied to us and urge the community to contact us on 086-001-0111.
