Concern over increase in violent crimes
“House robbery is more problematic because they wait for you to get into your house and then they come in; with house break-ins, they wait for you to leave and then they come in."
Car hijackings, abuse of women and house robberies are on the rise, in the north of Pretoria.
This was according to police minister Bheki Cele, who made an appearance at the Pretoria North magistrate’s court before the launch of an O Kae Molao operation in Akasia on Friday.
“For some reason, there is a high level of these crimes,” Cele told the media.
“House robbery is more problematic because they wait for you to get into your house and then they come in; with house break-ins, they wait for you to leave and then they come in.
“These are crimes that instil fear – house robbery, hijacking, rape, the abuse of women and the abuse of children.”
“We need to be there all the time as people sleep and ensure we give them peaceful sleep,” he told police officers.
He said police in the province had been effective at heightening visibility, response and arrests.
“More than anything, criminals who have committed a crime must be found. There is no way that you can commit crime and we don’t find you.”
Around 250 people were arrested during the operations led by provincial community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko and commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela.
During the operation, stop-and-searches were held along the R80 Mabopane highway where a number of crimes were recently reported.
Police also raided several buildings and suspected drug dens believed to be harbouring criminals.
“The roadblock resulted in the recovery of three hijacked and stolen motor vehicles,” said police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo.
“Suspected stolen property was recovered at a property harbouring criminals in Akasia,” he said.
Masondo said although goods were recovered, the suspects, however, fled into the bushes as police approached the property.
A further 13 suspects were arrested for dealing and being in possession of drugs when police raided suspected drug dens.
During stop-and-searches, another 10 suspects were also arrested for allegedly selling liquor without a licence and their outlets subsequently closed down.
An undisclosed number of suspects were also arrested when detectives went out in pursuit of suspects on their wanted list.
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