CPF in Ga-rakankuwa block passages to curb crime
“These passages have been used as access roads by mostly non-residents of Unit 8. Some of these people are scouts, surveying the area to burglarise our homes.”
The Ga-Rankuwa unit 8 CPF has closed down several passages in the area in an attempt to curb crime.
“These passages have been used as access roads by mostly non-residents of unit 8. Some of these people are scouts, surveying the area to burglarise our homes,” said William Mokgokgo general secretary of the zone 8 civil committees and member of the CPF.
A community meeting was held in late March at the unit 8 park, and it was decided to close down the passages in the area.
Residents claim that these passages were very unsafe because criminals had easy access to go in and out of the area. They then started raising money to buy materials needed to install gates in front of the passages.
“We had several burglaries during the day when residents were at work,” said Mokgokgo
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Mokgokgo said they had identified 10 passages that were most problematic in the area and closed them down. He said only three of the passages were still open.
“The intention to keep these three passages open is to observe the situation in the area. If criminal activities show up in these areas then the passages will also be closed,” he said.
Mokgokgo said there had been no reports of crime since closing the passages at the beginning of this month.
Unit 8 resident Nanky Shai said the community had several meetings concerning the safety of the passages in the area.
“I feel safer now because there is no longer unwanted movement or people we don’t trust loitering around the area at night,” said Shai.
Another resident Matlakala Bokaba shared Shai’s sentiments, saying: “We feel safer now. I think thugs will maybe think twice before attempting to break into our house again.”
Ga-Rankuwa police spokesperson Captain Matthews Nkoadi said they had not “really,” noticed an increase or decrease in crime in unit 8.
“The area is normal. Instead, unit 7 has had more housebreakings previously,” said Nkoadi.
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