Looting sprees go from bad to worse in South Coast CBDs
Business owners and municipal officials are becoming rattled by increasing crime levels in the CBD.
SOMETHING has got to be done about the worsening crime sprees on the South Coast, especially in CBDs.
Both Port Shepstone and Margate CBDs have been hit hard by ‘light fingered’ tsotsis (thieves), who grab anything valuable they can get their hands on.
From burglaries, car theft, smash and grabs, ATM robberies and illegal drug-related activities as well as prostitution, it seems criminals are getting comfortable.
A number of warnings have been issued by SAPS warning people to be alert.
Various operations conducted by members of SAPS Airwing, POP, TRT, RTI, reservist as well Ray Nkonyeni Law Enforcement members have led to people being arrested and charged, some for drug dealing, being in possession of unlicensed firearms, robberies and theft.
Despite this, crime volumes are said to be increasing.
CONCERN
Business owners are not the only ones getting worried about a long-term economic down-turn should these crime spree’s continue.
Residents and municipal officials have also been targeted. Ugu Municipality general manager, Vuyiwe Tsako, whose car was stolen from the front of Ugu’s main offices last Tuesday, has also been a victim. Port Shepstone SAPS spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said a case of car theft was being investigated but the car has not yet been recovered.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality councillor Bheka Cele’s car was also snatched in broad daylight at the municipality’s parking lot, while three other officials have been victims of smash and grabs in which valuable items have been stolen.
Three laptops have also been stolen inside the municipality.
One business owner in Port Shepstone questioned the functioning of CCTV cameras around the CBD.
“Criminals are getting cleve;, either they’ve identified these areas with CCTV cameras or they know they don’t operate at all.”
After losing two laptops to criminals who duped him into believing they wanted to do business with him, he says it’s hard to trust anyone these days.
‘QUICK BUCK’
Lindani Mkhize told the Herald that, before his arrest for selling drugs including nyaope, crack, ecstacy and dagga at the Port Shepstone taxi rank, he thought he could make a career out of stealing and robbery but he was wrong.
When asked why he chose the CBD to operate his illegal business, he said simply because it was too busy and security forces hardly paid attention.
“Life on the streets is hard and when you are uneducated and unemployed you have to hustle and make quick buck. Often I did it to feed my addiction, like many others.”
“I realised I was ruining the lives of people who wake up everyday and go to work for their families.”
Although some incidents have prompted an uproar over tactics and preparedness of local authorities to stem what many fear could fuel recession, some people say security forces alone cannot solve the problem created by shortfalls in education, lack of employment opportunities and other factors contributing to poverty.
BIG BROTHER’S WATCH
Despite these concerns, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality manager, Max Mbili said they were aware of the increasing crime volumes in the CBD.
He assured residents and business people that CCTV cameras were working and that they were doing their best to help the SAPS stem the scourge of crime.
Lieut-Col Wiid also added that station commander, Brigadier Sandra Nala, had tasked her officers and the sector commander to compile reports after assessing the situation.
“Currently certain operations have been planned to catch perpetrators,” she said.
She also issued a warning to people to be alert as these were professional criminals.
“When withdrawing money at ATM, people must ensure that there are no unknown people standing close to them and always avoid leaving valuables for anyone to see in their cars.
Anyone with information can always contact the sector commander, Captain Shireen Michael at 083 5132972.
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