Two armed robberies were thwarted on August 21 thanks to the fast response of Spes-Plan Security and Sabie Valley Neighbourhood Security (SVNS).
According to Mr Chris Harvie of the Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism (HCBT), the gang of robbers tried gaining access to one of the lodges on the Sabie Road via the electric fence just before 22:00 on August 21.
They were driven off by an on-site Spes Plan guard, who also summoned armed reaction. A shoot-out ensued, but the suspects escaped into Umvubu.
The gang was, however, not put off by the vigilant security and made a second attempt at 03:00 by cutting the fence further up the road at Summerfield. Prompt reacton by SVNS resulted in the robbers fleeing once more. The suspects managed to get away with a few of the lodge staff’s possessions like cellphones, but luckily no tourists were affected.
Harvie says SVNS radios are now active throughout the valley and a number of WhatsApp groups (including HCBT’s Hazyview Be Safe group) and the daily email report to HCBT members ensures that information regarding incidents or suspicious activities is quickly relayed to the relevant parties. This ensures the timely response of safety and security groups active in the area.
To keep tabs on incidents like these and other tourist-related crime, Mr Elvis Ngomane, the Hazyview SAPS crime-liaison officer, is stationed at the Hazyview Police Station. Ngomane and the HCBT committee also recently met with the station commander to discuss some of the community’s issues regarding local SAPS and policing in the area. Discussion points included increased patrols, lack of vehicles, sector commanders’ lack of knowledge regarding their sectors and the proper recording of crime. The officers resolved to increase patrols and update the profiles of sectors for the attention of the sector commanders and clarified that all tourist-related crime as reported as sensational crimes and therefore followed up at a higher level.
The officers asked the HCBT committee to pressurise the reporting of crime, insist that a case be opened for even the smallest crime and that all cases of police inefficiency or reluctance to recorded. These can then be sent to Harvie, who is compiling a document with all the complaints.
For more information regarding the HCBT or to become involved, contact Chris Harvie at cbharvie@gmail.com
