The Jeppe SAPS experienced some challenges this past year, but they also had a number of successes.
Warrant Officer Richard Munyai, the Jeppe SAPS communications officer, said there was an increase in street robberies, house and business break ins.
“The theft of cellular phones contributed to the increase in street robberies. People were being targeted while answering their cellular phones or chatting while walking on the streets,” he said.
Although some crimes showed an increase, there were several successes. Numerous people were arrested and convicted.
One of the successful investigations that led to a conviction was that of a man who sexually molested a child.
Musawenkosi Mbongo (24), was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually molesting a child.
“A woman alleged that she had left her child with Mbongo on February 2. She later phoned her friend to check on the child and the friend claimed that she had found the child crying. When she asked her why she was crying, the child said Mbongo had molested her. The mother’s friend took the child home and a case was opened. Mbongo was later arrested. He was sentenced on December 13,” said W/O Munyai.
Other successes include several men who were arrested for rape in December.
On December 21, a 27-year-old man was arrested. “The victim alleged that she was attending a church service in Gus Street, in Jeppestown. She was thirsty and went out to look for water. She walked to Hanau Street where she was confronted by a man. He was armed with a beer bottle. He allegedly took her to a flat where he raped her,” said W/O Munyai.
The woman opened a case and the man was arrested.
Another man, aged 32, was arrested for raping his ex-girlfriend on December 7.
“The woman claimed that she decided to visit a friend in the flat next to hers. She met a man who wanted to talk to her but she refused. He followed her and her ex-boyfriend approached them. The man left. The woman’s ex-boyfriend asked her if she knew him and she said no. The man became angry and grabbed her. He took her to a bush at the corner of Maritzburg and Jules streets and raped her.
“After her ordeal, she tried to run away but the man dragged her and beat her with the back of a firearm. He struck her several times on the head. He then took her to her house as she was bleeding heavily.
“The woman’s mother called an ambulance and she was taken to hospital. A case was opened. The man appeared in court on December 18 and the case was postponed to January 27.”
Two men, aged 24 and 27, were also arrested for raping a woman on December 5.
It is the victim was at Park Station looking for taxis to Natalspruit on the East Rand. She was approached by the men who told her they will show her where the taxis are.
“They apparently told her to get into their taxi and they drove until they reached Heidelberg Road in Karsene. The men then allegedly smoked dagga and later took turns raping her. When they finished, they took her cellular phone and dropped her off at a train station. The woman reported the incident to security guards,” said W/O Munyai.
She was taken to the police station and a case was opened.
The men were arrested and appeared in court on December 17.
The case was postponed to January 22. At the time of going to print, the outcome was unknown.
