Alexandra Police Station’s acting commander Colonel Nhluvuko Zondi has urged residents to be at their highest level of vigilance during the festive season.
Zondi said the police would be out in full force, protecting lives and property, and preventing crime through daily deployments of officers on the streets, at hotspots and in business areas.
“Those who will be travelling should ensure their homes are secured appropriately and should alert their neighbours to keep watch for them, and provide the neighbours their contact details just in case there is a need to be contacted, ” said Zondi.
She said criminals also wanted to enjoy the trappings of the period. Zondi warned residents about scams, especially one reported to be operating from Pan Africa Mall where people are conned out of their cash in exchange for clothing.
“The scammers ask people to pay double the amount of cash for a batch of clothing and promise to bring the rest, and they leave the customers waiting in vain until they give up,” said Zondi.
Other criminals, she said, followed members of stokvels to the banks and robbed them on their way back home. “Make sure that you are not followed to the bank or anywhere for your shopping. Also, be extra careful on who is next to you in the bank.”
She further advised residents to desist from keeping large amounts of money at home under mattresses. “Besides pilfering by other household members, you risk losing the money through shack fires.”
Zondi concluded by urging residents not to drink and drive.
