Sector One security concerns to be addressed – Edenvale SAPS
“Since the matter was brought to our attention, SAPS will investigate the concerns and take the necessary steps,” said Mashile.
After being alerted to a potential security concern in sector one of its policing precinct, Edenvale SAPS will increase patrols.
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This comes after SOS Security informed the NEWS of several dugouts between Marais Steyn Park and the N3 highway.
After visiting the location with the security company on April 11, one fully constructed dugout could be seen at the site while two collapsed dugouts were located nearby.
First located in December, Gary Wilson of SOS Security believes individuals committing crimes used the dugouts.
He said the site was located after reaction officers responded to an incident in the area and gave chase after the suspects.
Wilson said the suspects disappeared into the vegetation, and after further investigation, the reaction officers discovered the first dugout.
“The times we have been at the site investigating the location there has been no one around,” said Wilson.
Although no individuals have been found at the location, Wilson believes suspects are using the dugouts as a base of operations to commit crimes in Edenvale.
Wilson said while on patrol, security personnel found items such as appliances.
“While law enforcement is looking for suspicious individuals or vehicles in Edenvale, the suspects could be hiding, waiting for things to calm down.”
He believes the proximity of the dugouts to Marais Steyn Park poses a security threat to the community.
“These individuals are building underground. Why?” asked Wilson.
“If they are homeless, why don’t they build shelters on top of the ground.”
Wilson confirmed it had been reported to the SAPS, who told SOS the matter would be investigated.
When the NEWS spoke to Edenvale Police Station’s communications officer Sgt Jacob Mashile on April 12, he said Edenvale SAPS was unaware of the security concern.
“Since the matter was brought to our attention, SAPS will investigate the concerns and take the necessary steps,” said Mashile.
“Perhaps the security company informed a member who did not relay the message. Going forward, we will include all stakeholders.”
In addition to raising the concerns about the dugouts, SOS highlighted the behaviour of vagrants living on the open piece of land between Aitken Road and Greenstone.
Wilson highlighted the number of homeless and recyclers in Edenvale is increasing.
While in Greenstone, the NEWS spoke to one recycler, Jerry, living on the open piece of land.
Jerry, who previously lived next to Edenvale Hospital before he was evicted, is originally from Lesotho and sustains himself with the recycling material he collects. He has lived in the Greenstone area for three years and hopes to return to Lesotho soon.
“I came to SA to learn more about business because facilities in the country offer free courses. With the skills I have learned, I want to return to Lesotho and start my business,” said Jerry.
On April 13, the NEWS visited the location of the dugouts with members of the SAPS.
After inspecting the site with Edenvale SAPS sector managers, Mashile said the station will engage with the Johannesburg Road Agency and the departments of community safety and social development to plan a strategy.
“In the meantime, increased patrols will be conducted by the station’s crime prevention and sector one vehicle,” said Mashile.
“At this stage, it is too early to determine if the dugout is being used by suspects, but SAPS will investigate with the help of community stakeholders, specifically the security companies in Marais Steyn Park.”
Mashile said although there are many homeless individuals in Edenvale, he said the biggest problem is that there are no shelters for them.
“We are trying to police them as best and remove them from our precinct until a shelter is established. We try to deal with these individuals respectfully and politely.”
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