In response to recent incidents of crime in the Cleveland policing precinct, Cleveland SAPS conducted a safety awareness campaign in Queen Street at the intersection of Langermann Drive as well as York and Orwell streets in Kensington.
The campaign, on February 20, aimed to raise awareness about prevalent crimes in the area, including car hijackings, sexual and domestic violence as well as hate crimes.
“We’ve been experiencing a problem with hijackings in the area,” said Cleveland SAPS spokesperson Capt Johan Jordaan during the door-to-door campaign.
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“We are also concerned about violence against women and children in the area and that’s why we’re going from house to house to hand out pamphlets and provide tips to people.
“Most of the people have welcomed us and are happy that we’re doing this since it is a good thing.”
Jordaan confirmed three cases of rape and two house robberies have been reported in the precinct and are being investigated.
“We don’t think that there is a connection between the cases; however, we’re investigating the cases to the best of our ability. We will make information available as soon as there are any new developments,” said Jordaan.
Three cases of rape
The EXPRESS previously reported that a 72-year-old woman was raped at her home on Orwell Street on February 4, while in the neighbouring suburb of Malvern, a woman was allegedly raped by two men in front of her two children in the early hours of February 9 before they took valuables and fled the scene.
“The Malvern woman gave a description of the suspects to officers, who later arrested a 32-year-old man near the Denver railway station. The second suspect is still at large, but we hope to make a breakthrough in arresting him soon,” Jordaan told the EXPRESS at the time.
Another rape and house robbery on York Street was reported on February 14.
Following statements on social media that this incident did not involve rape, Jordaan confirmed, for a third time, that both charges are still being investigated.
“I contacted the investigating officer for the York Street case and she again confirmed that both charges, house robbery and rape, are being investigated,” Jordaan told the EXPRESS on February 20.
In a press statement issued by Jordaan on the day of the incident, it is stated that three men gained entry to the house by breaking burglar bars and a window.
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“A 52-year-old man heard noises in the house and got up to investigate. He encountered three men who held him at gunpoint and demanded money. He gave the men R300 but they demanded more. The men then allegedly went to the man’s room where they accosted his wife.”
Jordaan said the suspects took more money, including US dollars, and cellphones.
Jordaan said two suspects entered a room in the house which the couple’s daughters occupy and also took cash and cellphones.
“The one suspect then raped the eldest daughter whereafter the suspects took the stolen goods and cash and fled the scene.
“Officers from the family violence crime unit and Johannesburg East Cluster Trio Task Team were on the scene,” said Jordaan.
“The case will be investigated properly and we hope that the suspects will be arrested soon,” Jordaan said.
