HAZYVIEW – Residents of the town and its surroundings have been at war with armed attackers for more than two years now and the end is not in sight. All fingers are pointing to the SAPS and their seemingly unwillingness to realise the seriousness of the situation.
“The police have done nothing to curb crime in the area.
“We suggested that they establish a dog unit here to ensure a faster and more effective response, but to no avail. Brig Christine Bensch tried her utmost best, but had no assistance from provincial level,” Mr Ken Robertson, DA councillor in Hazyview, told Lowvelder.
“When will law enforcement implement measures to improve rural safety? We need a more permanent solution.”
Mr Danie Coetzer of J&M Security, agrees. “The police must have some information on these attacks.
“They are well planned and executed. Policing is non-existent here,” he said. “The world must know what war we are fighting here every night.
“I lie awake and listen how they report break-ins over the two-way radios,” a resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, added.
Lowvelder has reported numerous times on the escalating crime in the area which has even led to the closure of prime tourist destinations such as Blue Mountain Lodge in 2011. However, many of these lodge owners have been reluctant to report incidents at their establishments out of fear that they too would have to close their doors.
The situation climaxed when Mr Dave Foxon (43), manager of Umbhaba Lodge, was killed in front of his pregnant wife, Bianca and their two young sons, Regan and Braydon in April last year.
Col Leonard Hlathi, provincial police spokesman, was then quoted as saying that there was no crisis in Hazyview and that regular patrols were being done. Community members were outraged by this and the DA demanded that Hlathi be given the boot.
Road stalls were even robbed at the same time as an emergency meeting was held by SAPS top management about the issue. Provincial commissioner Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela then said that serious conflict between police officials and the station commander had hampered the fight against crime. The station commander along with certain officials were then transferred and Bensch appointed as group commander for Hazyview and Buschbuckridge.
Yesterday Hlathi said crime had gone down in the area since the commissioner implemented the changes in management. “We have also made a lot of arrests, including that of three men who are alleged to have attacked Ms Isabella Coetzer last month.
“We will win this war and the police request everyone’s cooperation,” he said.
