Police to work tirelessly during festive period
"We will have static roadblocks at specific hotspots within the province."
The provincial deputy commissioner for policing, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, said they will increase police visibility at all crime hotspots in Benoni during the festive season.
Mthombeni was speaking during the integrated crime combating Operation Shanela led by Gauteng SAPS commissioner General Elias Mawela in Daveyton on November 16.
Mthombeni stated this was one of the provincial SAPS crime prevention initiatives to fight the escalation of crime often experienced during the festive period.
He explained they would deploy more police at crime hotspots. There will be an increase in police visibility until January and more roadblocks at all exits and entrance points, including on all busy roads in Benoni.
“Our provincial festive season plan, launched last month, is linked to the national plan launched in Cape Town in August,” he said.
“We unveiled several plans, including Operation Shanela, which we all know happens on Thursdays and Saturdays in Gauteng. With this operation, we have covered all the areas in the province, including Benoni.”
Mthombeni warned residents to be careful during this period, adding that the increase in movement, with most travelling outside the province or out of town for shopping, made them targets of crime.
“People tend to frequent shops for shopping and there will also be those travelling to other provinces. This increases traffic flow. We will have static roadblocks at specific hotspots within the province,” Mthombeni said.
The deputy commissioner was joined by the EMPD, Home Affairs and CPF, during a stop-and-search operation on a stretch of Pretoria Road, between Daveyton and Chief Albert Luthuli.
He said they targeted that road because of a spike in car hijackings as well as increased pedestrian fatalities.
“Hijackings in Daveyton are quite a lot. This stretch of road contributes highly to our hijacking stats. It’s also an easy escape route due to its link to the N12.
“It is also quite a busy road with increased traffic volumes at peak hours. There have been pedestrian fatalities.”
He added because of an increase in crimes, including GBV, contact crimes and house burglaries in parts of the community – especially in Daveyton – the police would have their hands on deck to keep everyone safe.
Also Read: WATCH: Operation Okae Molao brings positive results in Etwatwa
Also Read: WATCH: Crime increase in Putfontein leads to first operation O Kae Molao
