The Krugersdorp Police station commander, Brigadier Ngwako Mashao has wished his community a blessed festive season and has released some tips to help them keep safe.

In his festive-season message the station commander pledged partnership and vigilance to his community and thanked them for their cooperation with police this year.

He expressed the hope that the police and community would continue to work together in the fight against crime.

Captain Raymond Sebonyane from Krugersdorp Police’s Communications Department said the station commander wanted to thank the Community Policing Forum (CPF) patrollers, Krugersdorp Police members and other law-enforcement agencies and security companies for ensuring that the Krugersdorp community is safe and feels protected.

He promised that over the festive season and in the new year the police would be conducting numerous operations to prevent crime and ensure the safety of the community.

I would also like to thank the co-workers and families for the good work they are rendering to the community and for carrying out the police’s constitutional mandate. In order to prevent crime, my advice is to be alert at all times. I wish everyone and their families within the Krugersdorp Police jurisdiction a merry Christmas and prosperous new year,” Mashao said.

Scams and robberies
The station commander added that this is the time of the year when most people start slowing down and looking forward to spending their well-deserved holidays with their families, and enjoying their hard-earned money.

“They work hard the whole year to accumulate income. Also there are those who want to enrich themselves quickly by harming and stealing from others,” Mashao said.

Therefore the Krugersdorp Police are concerned that people could be robbed or scammed during the festive season. They said that people will be robbed after withdrawing money or be followed by robbers.

Some people are being scammed on social media; there are criminals pretending to be selling property; others will say you have won a competition and ask you to deposit money in their accounts; and some will pretend to be prophets who tell you to give them all your money to bless it, so that it can increase and double,” said Sebonyane.

The Krugersdorp Police are therefore appealing to the community to be extra careful.

“Even at this time of the year, there is no slowing down for South African Police Service members as we still have to ensure that those who want to enrich themselves by harming and stealing from others are prevented from doing so,” Sebonyane said.

The station commander released the following safety tips to help keep you and your family safe this festive season.

* Be aware of crime opportunities at all time.
* When withdrawing large amounts of cash, make sure that you are escorted by one or two family members.
* Do not accept help from strangers, rather ask the bank personnel.
* Always ensure that there is an acceptable distance between you and other bank clients.
* Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
* Avoid going onto a congested or isolated area or a street where you cannot even walk properly, as that is where you will find criminals pickpocketing.
* Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
* Never leave your bag or purse in your shopping trolley or with a stranger.
* Always hold your bag tightly.
* Do not buy valuables, property and other items via social media unless you are sure the company exists.
* Money is earned by working for it, no money will multiply itself through magic and prayers.
* Beware of bogus competitions. If you know you never entered any competition, don’t entertain calls from unknown people telling you to deposit cash before you can receive what you have won.
* Do not give your banking details and identity number to strangers. Rather confirm first with your bank or service provider.

Driving during the festive season
Aggressive driving has become a major concern and a real threat to the safety of all road users, said the Krugersdorp Police.

Any unsafe driving behaviour, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving,” said Mashao.

The Krugersdorp Police have a few tips on how to deal with aggressive drivers and some helpful hints to reduce your own stress while driving.

Protect yourself

* If you are dealing with an aggressive driver, make sure your car’s doors are locked.
* If you stop in traffic, leave enough room to pull out from behind the car in front of you.
* If an aggressive driver confronts you, call 10111 or drive to the nearest police station.
* Do not take it personally: Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not.
* Avoid any conflict, if possible.
* If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way.
* Never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for causing harm.

How to reduce your stress while driving
* Understand that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it. In the end, you may find that personal frustration, anger and impatience are the real danger zones on the highway.
* Be a courteous driver. You can set a good example, which can help make our roads safer.
* Control your anger.
* Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver.
* Do not make obscene gestures.
* Do not tailgate.
* Use your horn sparingly – even a polite honk can be misinterpreted.
* Do not block cars trying to pass you.

Some tips for safety at home

* A high fence around the house with lockable gates are much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of being able to see what is going on in the street.
* Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily. Keys should not lie around uncontrolled.

The following devices prevent easy access:
* Window bars
* Security doors
* Security gates
* Razor wire
* Strengthened doors
* Safety chains to doors
* Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage

Safety precautions
* Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
* Big dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
* If you leave your residence, inform your family or neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving.
* Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks and ladders that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
* You should not be visible from the outside when you are asleep in the bedroom.
* Identify relatively safe places of refuge, i.e. bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
* The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
* Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
* Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
* Take photographs of all employees as it could be to your advantage if you need to identify them.
* Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
* Keep copies of all your employees’ IDs.
* Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.

Safety awareness to prevent hijackings
* Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
* If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather drive away and press your hooter to attract attention.
* If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
* Do not resist, especially if a thief has a weapon.
* A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
* Do not give strangers a lift.
* Be aware of people telling you that you have a flat tyre, as the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or rob you of your car.
* Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the traffic lights.

Safety tips for when your car is parked
* Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security guards.
* Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
* Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car.
* Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times.
* Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
* Lock your valuables in the car’s boot before departure.
* At night, park in well-lit areas.
* Do not leave your valuable items visible in the car.
* Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car.
* Remove detachable radios and the radio’s face when getting out of the car.
* Try to fit an alarm and/ or anti-theft device in your car.
* Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.

Scams: Motor vehicle theft and hijacking cases

The police have come across cases where the victims of motor vehicle and trailer theft, and even hijackings were told by people impersonating police officers that their property had been recovered and that they should pay a fee to have the vehicle or stolen items transported or held in safekeeping before the victim would be able to collect it.

At no stage will the police request payment for any services relating to the recovery of vehicles. Should you receive such call from a person claiming to have recovered your vehicle or items, please contact your nearest police station to verify the information,” said Mashao.

The police will verify the information at the station and tell you if your vehicle had been recovered. The relevant Vehicle Theft Unit will advise you on the correct process to follow.

“You are advised not to pay any money to anyone, including legitimate police members for the recovery of your vehicle or items. Inform such person that you are going to report him or her to the police.”

Emergency numbers you need to have at hand
* Krugersdorp Police: 011 951 1151 or 011 951 1152
* Emergency number: 10111
* Crime Stop number: 0860 10111