TMPD bicycle unit reinstated after murder of student (23) for phone
Tshwane mayor reinstated the TMPD bicycle unit, which saw them receive 20 new bicycles worth R300 000 donated by the University of Pretoria.
Tshwane metro police have reinstated their bicycle unit in Hatfield this week.
This follows the death of a 23-year-old Tuks student who was shot dead for a cellphone last month.
The unit will assist with frequent patrols and fighting crime around Hatfield, which is home to many University of Pretoria students.
The unit was relaunched in Hatfield as part of a renewal of the TMPD’s partnership with the Hatfield City Improvement District (CID) and the University of Pretoria, after the memorandum of understanding expired in 2021, according to Tshwane mayor Randall Williams.
The unit was first launched in 2017 and in 2019 was bolstered with a fully operational satellite station to tackle crime.
The partnership renewal saw the TMPD bicycle unit receive 20 new bicycles worth R300 000 donated by the University of Pretoria.
“The unit is fit and ready to fight crime,” said Williams.
He said the unit was aimed at increasing police visibility.
“Daily, we have 10 officers deployed per shift with one supervisor, which ensures police visibility in the area.”
He said previously the partnership between and the Hatfield CID had proven to be effective in road policing, by-law enforcement and crime prevention in Hatfield.
The rolled-out bicycles aim to bring community safety and security as it is easier for them to manoeuvre around peak traffic during ongoing criminal activity.
Watch:
Thapelo Menwe was shot in the abdomen during a robbery as he walked home from a student bar where he had played pool on September 10.
The shooter gunned down the student for his cellphone and tried to escape with an accomplice, in a car when they were arrested.
Suspects Bongani Sibiya and William Seema Makgoba are in police custody and the case has been postponed to October 25 for further investigations.
They face charges of murder, robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Classmate Ifrah Rage said the murder highlighted long-standing issues students have with security at the university.
“We are angry. Incidents like these need to be prevented. There need to be more patrols around student residences and campus.”
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