New approach to fight crime in Jukulyn, Sosh as areas are declared ‘no-go’
The DA is worried over reports that children as young as 12 are taught how to use firearms, while residents fear for their lives given the weaknesses in the police.
After complaints about surging rape, robbery and assault cases as well as no-go for police in Jukulyn in Soshanguve, the provincial legislature committee on community safety has recommended new approaches to restoring law and order.
Committee chairperson Thebe Khumalo said a “shift in control measures” and a more innovative approach to crime prevention was a must for the Rietgat area.
Khumalo said the call to strengthen policing was due to complaints lamenting high crime in the area from the Jukulyn community.
Khumalo said the complaints were regarding never-ending incidents of rape, robbery and assaults.
“These have left residents fearing for their lives given the weaknesses in policing.
“The committee received reports on recurrent crime including murders, car hijacking, business robberies, common assault and gender-based violence – with some parts of Jukulyn declared no-go areas for residents and police.”
The committee has recommended the following approaches to restore law and order in Jukulyn, north of Pretoria:
– The deployment of SAPS tactical response team.
– Law enforcement agencies to conduct Okae Molao operations weekly.
– Strict enforcement of by-laws on spaza shops and liquor outlets.
– Community involvement and restoration of confidence in police in the area.
– The immediate arrest of known suspects.
– Increased police visibility and stop-and-search operations, particularly on weekends and at night.
– Cooperation with informers and community intelligence.
He said the recommendations would be formalised through the office of the provincial police commissioner and implementation monitored closely by the committee quarterly.
“The committee will conduct random unannounced oversight visits to the area.”
This also follows the DA worrying over reports that gangs in Jukulyn were teaching children as young as 12 how to use firearms.
“Residents are increasingly in danger because of the rise in crime in the area,” said DA Tshwane deputy caucus chairperson Sandy Khathutshelo Mbuvha.
Mbuvha said the situation was so bad that councillors and officials had to ask for police escorts to enter the area.
“This hindered service delivery,” Mbuvha said.
He said crime syndicates within the area also continuously attacked and robbed local businesses and residents.
“Technicians and artisans are attacked which means that essential services such as water leaks, power cuts and sewerage blockages are left unattended.”
He said the gangs appeared to be setting up crime hubs in abandoned RDP houses.
“Residents are not safe as they commute to and from work. Courier and furniture delivery vans have been hijacked and bakeries robbed of bread.
“Ambulance services have their tyres and batteries stolen, resulting in patients not being collected. Some even die as they do not receive urgent medical attention. Even social workers are unable to render the much-needed social services as they are being targeted too.”
Mbuvha said the DA would refer these concerns to their counterparts in the provincial legislature to investigate how problems faced by the local police station can be addressed by the provincial community safety committee.
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