Yeoville Koppie raided
"Beyond the bush there are shacks. We want to confirm if these robbers stay there or if they just run through the area."
The Yeoville SAPS has vowed to continue raiding the Yeoville Koppie along Steward Street.
The station’s communications officer, Constable Thabo Malatji, made the statement following a recent raid at the koppie.
“We have been receiving complaints about people being robbed while praying at the mountain. The suspects are said to be running down the hill and through the thick bush.
“Beyond the bush there are shacks. We want to confirm if these robbers stay there or if they just run through the area,” he said.
Const Malatji said the suspects arrested during the raids so far have not been linked to any of the crimes reported by residents in the precinct.
He said some of the residents living on the koppie are foreigners.
“Some are from Zimbabwe and Lesotho and some are from different parts of South Africa. They build structures with twigs and plastic. The situation is not suitable for a human being to live in.
“If there is a fire, help will not arrive quickly enough. Even if the people staying there need the police or any emergency help, they may receive it late due to the difficulty in reaching the area. There is no running water or sewage system. It is not a place to live in,” he said.
Const Malatji urged residents to be careful when using the mountain to pray.
“We will continue monitoring and raiding the area but we advise residents to be careful when they are there,” he said.
An inquiry was sent to the City of Joburg Property Company SOC Ltd marketing and communications officer, Bliss Yeni, on Tuesday, July 7.
Comment was requested by Thursday, July 9, at 9am.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
