Debate on the safety of WiFi hotspots
Experts discuss the safety of schoolchildren who are targeted for their cell phones on the corner of Edmond and Hospital Street in Arcadia by tsotsis.
WiFi users in the CBD are increasingly targeted by criminals. Last week Rekord reported on tsotsis who targeted pupils for their cellphones on the corner of Edmond and Hospital streets in Arcadia.
Meanwhile police warn WiFi users to use safe areas when accessing the internet on mobile devices.
Sime Mlapisane said her son, Jordan (13) fell victim to the crime recently. Jordan was robbed of his cellphone while walking with three friends after school.
Rekord spoke to Warrant Officer George Khoza, overall commander for all police sectors in Sunnyside, about the trend.
“Criminals are targeting young children and women because they are the most vulnerable in our society. We are trying our best to fight this problem and inform people not to display their cellphones,” Khoza explained.
He said when a pupil or a person is listening to music using their headsets while the cellphone was dangling in their pocket, it made it easier for tsotsis to target them.
“In some cases, we have had women who were offered lifts by complete strangers who then drove off with their luggage. We have also had cases of people pretending to be fortune tellers and then run off with their so-called client’s belongings,” Khoza said.
He said Sunnyside had high instances of cellphone, tablet and laptop robberies at gunpoint in broad daylight.
Rekord asked him what people should do, especially when they wanted to access the internet using Tshwane’s free WiFi hotspots.
“It is better to access WiFi from home. We see people walking around carrying their laptops, tablets and cellphones which are then taken by criminals at gunpoint. Rather sit in a safe place such as fast food takeaway restaurants or inside Sunnypark centre where it is safer,” Khoza said.
Rekord spoke to Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale about possible solutions.
“It remains the role of police to make the city safer. Ultimately the police need to trace these stolen items,” Manale said.
He said the metro was in the process of installing CCTV and streetlights at certain hotspots such as in Sunnyside and at Church square to make it safer.
“We also have a safety app people can use. It calls the closest metro police officers automatically nearest to you when in danger,” Manale said.
“We urge people not to visit hotspots on their own,” he said.
Dr Connie Haasbroek, a senior psychology of education lecturer at Unisa said police should protect people from crime.
“If police say we should not carry cellphones, they are infringing our rights. It is our right to be protected,” Haasbroek said.
Haasbroek encouraged schools to keep the cellphones of pupils safe during school hours and only hand them over after school.
“It is not safe for children to visit WiFi hotspots. They should have hotspots at school and also regulate internet usage. Teach pupils how to use the internet the correct way,” Haasbroek said.
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