Bronkhorstspruit police share tips on staying safe
Station commander wants to involve the community more in crime prevention.
Bronkhorstspruit Police Station commander Colonel Maqhawe Simon Dhladhla wants more community involvement in preventing crime this year.
“The community and stakeholders have to be positive and confident about their goal to fight crime collectively in the area,” said Dhladhla.
He thanked the police’s partners for contributing to fighting crime and securing the area last year.
“Stakeholder collaboration in the right circumstances can be a powerful approach to responding to complex problems that isolated efforts cannot solve.
Last year, the station secured the benefits of their hard work as they managed to arrest most criminals.
“We thank the Zithobeni community for heeding a call against vigilantism,” said Dhladhla.
According to him, SAPS is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all in South Africa.
Dhladhla said the Bronkhorstspruit police will visit all schools in their policing precinct as part of the annual beginning-of-the-year rollout of the school safety programme.
“We are committed to ensuring that schools in the Bronkhorstspruit policing precinct are safe environments in which to learn. Through the Adopt a Cop project, members at different sections have ‘adopted’ schools,” he explained.
According to Dhladhla, these partnerships have been established and will be sustained. This will enable school management to have a designated police officer as a point of contact to access the services that the school may need from the police station. The programme will strengthen school safety committees to curb crime and violence in schools.
“During the school visits, an awareness of crime and violence, and their impact on individuals, will be raised among learners. The police will also engage parents on the safety of their children when they are being dropped off and picked up from schools.”
Constable Munyadziwa Cathrine Ramovha, Bronkhorstspruit Police spokesperson, share these tips when it comes to keeping your children and family safe:
Children:
• When dropping off kids at school, ensure they have safely entered the schoolyard before driving off.
• Teach children to move away from strangers at all times. Ensure children know not to tell strangers their names or address.
• Do not write a child’s name or other personal details on their backpacks or where they are easily accessible.
• Encourage children to use the buddy system and avoid walking or playing alone.
• Practise basic safety skills with your child and teach them to memorise important information like emergency contact details.
• If you suspect your child is missing, immediately report it to your nearest police station. There is no waiting time before you can report a child missing.
Hijackings:
• Avoid being alone in a car when travelling at night.
• Do not stop at or near hijacking spots or in secluded areas.
• Always be alert when driving. If you suspect you are being followed by a suspicious vehicle, drive to the nearest police station, or call the SAPS emergency number: 10111.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers, especially when driving alone.
• Avoid distractions like being on your phone, eating or drinking.
• Increase caution at intersections – always look for people loitering near your car, and for sudden activity around your car.
House robberies
• Always look for suspicious people and vehicles.
• Beef up security by fitting access doors with security gates and installing burglar bars on windows.
• Request neighbours to keep an eye on your house when you go away for an extended period.
• Do not open gates or doors for strangers.
• Verify the details of anyone before you employ them. Also, verify the authenticity of contractors before you let them access the premises.
Business robberies:
• Do not keep a lot of money on the business premises.
• Watch for suspicious customers.
• Do not keep the shop open till late at night.
• Avoid being alone, especially at night.
• Business owners must not open for anyone after the business has closed.
Prevent contact crimes:
• Do not carry a lot of money when going out.
• Do not carry weapons when you attend social events.
• Do not share a drink with someone you do not know.
• Avoid confrontation when under the influence of alcohol.
• Do not leave your drink unattended.
Emergency contact numbers to keep:
Station commander: Colonel Dhladhla: 082 822 8342
Visible policing commander: Lieutenant Colonel Mlaba: 071 675 6200.
Detective commander: Lieutenant Colonel Strydom: 071 612 1875.
Bronkhorstspruit Police community service centre: 013 932 9222 or 013 932 9264.
Bronkhorstspruit child protection hotline: 079 378 0861.
