City’s runners, cyclists express concern over spate of attacks

POLOKWANE – The athletics and cycling fraternity gathered for a meeting with the police at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex last Thursday in order to discuss and express their concerns over a spate of attacks on runners and cyclists in the city recently.

In the last case of this kind that was reported to the police, athletes Sean Jacobs and Ounooi Breedt, were attacked in June while jogging. Jacobs was stabbed several times and had to be hospitalised.

Complaints were also made that police investigations were not completed or that witness statements had to be given a second time because dockets were “lost”.

Suggestions were given on how to solve the problem, including closing off specific areas for runners and cyclists. One of the athletes, Jack Seabi, suggested that if the police could apprehend at least one of these criminals, this would serve as a warning to other criminals, and perhaps stop the attacks.

Another suggestion was that the Polokwane Municipality ensure the streetlights were in good working condition at all times in order to ensure better visibility.

Athlete Johan van der Walt said if the municipality cleared some of the veld where they ran, it would ensure criminals could not use the veld as a hide out.

While several police officials attended the meeting and provided input, none of them wished to be identified, due to the sensitive nature of their work. One police official said the police were unaware of many of the incidents mentioned by the athletes and cyclists. He said the police would not be able to recognise that a specific problem existed in a specific area unless these incidents were reported to them. He exhorted all victims of crime to report the incidents to their nearest police station.

The police official further said running or cycling in groups, and staying away from bushy areas would assist in ensuring their safety. He warned that attackers would focus on taking cell phones from their victims first, to prevent them from raising summoning assistance.

The police said they would conduct clean-up operations in areas that included the koppie in Ster Park, Suid Street, Diemeer Street, and Serala View, which had already been pointed out as problem areas.

He also promised the intensifying of patrols and urged everyone to get involved with their community policing forums for more assistance.

“I will be following up on the cases mentioned where it is alleged that police did not do their duty and will contact the relevant complainant on the progress of their cases,” he said.

Leon Bannau from the Polokwane Municipality, was one of the organisers of the meeting, and is the stadium manager of the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex. He said he would have a meeting with other municipal employees on the issues of street lights and potholes, as well as clearing of open veld.