Sophiatown SAPS flags Sector 4 properties over hijacking and crime concerns
Sergeant Benneth Maluleke says illegal occupation, drug dealing, overcrowding and illegal municipal connections remain concerns raised by residents.
Suspected hijacked and illegally occupied properties emerged as a major concern for Sector 4 residents during a community meeting with Sophiatown police on October 1.
Sector 4 manager Sergeant Benneth Maluleke said residents also raised concerns about recurring crime hotspots, displaced individuals at a park, and scrapyards in Albertsville. The issue of the hijacked and illegally occupied houses was particularly serious because such properties could become associated with suspected drug dealing and other alleged criminal activity, said Maluleke. “Criminals and illegal immigrants stay in such houses, which becomes a big problem for the community and the police.”
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He said police were aware of at least five properties in Sector 4 that had been flagged by the community as problematic or potentially hijacked. However, Maluleke stressed that the properties had not all been confirmed as hijacked. According to Maluleke, police also faced several challenges when dealing with properties, including unclear ownership, cases where owners are deceased, or properties are owned by third parties.
Other concerns included alleged illegal connections, overcrowding, and the illegal construction of additional rooms. Maluleke said police continued conducting integrated high-density operations in response to concerns raised by the community, working with other government departments and city entities. He noted that Sophiatown police conduct high-density operations on Thursdays, while Fridays are dedicated to the station commander’s operation and Saturdays to an integrated Vispol commander’s operation. He added that he was pleased to see that the community’s concerns were being attended to during an operation on September 15.
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He said residents were also assured that operations were ongoing. Maluleke said the properties were being monitored because of both crime and health and safety concerns.
Attempts to contact the property owners were unsuccessful, but the publication will follow up with the Sector 4 manager to gather further details.
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