While thousands of residents of Pretoria set out to make their mark in the national elections, a handful of criminals were rampant in various areas.
Several crimes were reported in the city during the elections on 8 May.
Three vehicles were stolen at three voting stations in Pretoria.
There were also two attempted vehicle thefts, one foiled after a high-speed car chase and arrest.
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“A suspicious vehicle was spotted at the voting station located at Laerskool Wierdapark yesterday. A Monitor Net reaction officer’s reaction resulted in a high-speed car chase joined by other security companies,” said JP le Roux of Monitor Net in Centurion.
“The vehicle eventually came to a standstill on the R55, and a suspect was arrested while the other fled on foot.”
Items used in vehicle and house break-ins were found in the vehicle.
Another attempted vehicle theft was reported by Kilnerpark Security (KPS) in Kilner Park.
KPS spokesperson Ancelize van der Kooi said thieves had attempted to steal the car while the owner was inside the voting station at a local primary school.
“A gate motor was also stolen in the area,” she said.
Charles Kemp of Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Pretoria North said a vehicle was stolen at Hoërskool Montana during the elections, while a Facebook user also posted another vehicle theft in the area.
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The post suggested the vehicle was stolen at a primary school in Pretoria North but this could not be confirmed.
Moot Security spokesperson Reinhard Raschake said a vehicle was stolen at the Laerskool Totiusdal.
“Other than that it was an extremely quiet and peaceful day,” Raschake said.
Andre Genis of Brinant Security reported no major incidents at the voting stations in the east.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Peters told Rekord that the national office had instructed that nobody should comment on election day crime.
“We are unable to comment as national office is still busy consolidating [the crime incidents’ statistics] with the Electoral Commission (IEC),” Peters said.
“Once this is done, the police will issue a statement.”
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