Boksburg festive season: uptake in certain crimes
In addition to the arrests made, officers also detected a substantial number of illegal activities, confiscated illegal items, and issued more traffic fines during roadblocks.
The Boksburg SAPS’ proactive measures to ensure safety over the festive season bore fruit and led to the arrests of around 200 suspects for various crimes.
Despite such efforts, some areas within the precinct reportedly experienced a spike in certain crimes.
Police efforts to maintain public order and security were evident when around mid-December the Boksburg police station in partnership with other local law enforcement agencies launched a comprehensive set of strategies designed to combat crime, track down wanted suspects, recover illegal items and enforce road safety rules.
According to Boksburg SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Ntsako Ledwaba, their strategies focused on several key priority crimes, including among others vehicle-related crimes, aggravated robberies and illegal shebeens, as well as road safety.
The precinct’s concerted actions saw significant reductions in some of the most feared types of crime, including aggravated robberies and murder. In addition to the about 200 arrests made, officers also detected a substantial number of illegal activities, confiscated illegal items, and issued more traffic fines during roadblocks.
Ledwaba attributed the successes to the heightened police visibility and the high-density crime-fighting operations conducted over the festive season. She extended her gratitude to all the parties who were involved in ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors during this period. These include local security companies, EMPD, community patrollers, provincial traffic police, Gauteng crime prevention wardens and several SAPS units.
Increase
The Boksburg police warned of high levels of burglaries and vehicle-related crimes (hijackings, theft of and from motor vehicles) over the festive season.
“During the period between mid-December and the first week of January, we had a serious problem of criminals targeting people’s homes, particularly in the suburbs. The most affected areas included Freeway Park and Farrar Park, and in these cases, we found that the property owners were away when the crimes were committed.”
When it comes to the theft of motor vehicles, police reports show that criminals were targeting parking areas outside businesses. Hotspots included shopping centres in Sunward Park and the Boksburg CBD.
“We have also noted a resurgence of carjacking, and this time hijackers were pouncing on their target in the industrial areas. This is probably because these areas were quiet as many factories were closed.”
Ledwaba also warned about a resurgence of smash-and-grab robbery/theft at some intersections, including the corner of Field and Main Reef roads, and the corner of Pretoria and Main Reef roads.
When asked as to what is being done to deal with all the identified problems, Ledwaba said they do not want to divulge their plans at the moment. She pointed out that in one of their latest operational meeting, they devised some new strategies to tackle these problems.
Operation Shanela clamps down on Boksburg crime
The Gauteng police also conducted a day-long high-density anti-crime operation (Operation Shanela) within the Boksburg SAPS precinct, which was concluded with a crime imbizo held in Angelo informal settlement.
Angelo is infamous for illegal mining, deadly violence and illegal taverns.
The operation, led by acting Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, led to the arrest of dozens of suspects for various crimes. Officers also confiscated dagga and illegal mining equipment and closed down several illegally operated taverns.
Imbizo
Residents were during the imbizo given the chance to voice their concerns and provide suggestions to address the crime issues in their area. However, the majority of attendees were reluctant to speak out against criminals, citing fear of violent victimisation at the hands of heavily armed criminal gangs that regularly terrorise the community.
Some lambasted the Boksburg police for ‘poor’ service delivery, accusing police officers of colluding with criminals and demanding bribes from those who disregard the law.
Responding to the allegations, Mthombeni encouraged the community to report their issues to police management, including the station commander.
Nationwide successes
Nationally, from mid-December to January 7, law enforcement agencies arrested almost 50 000 suspects for various crimes. This is according to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
“During the same period, 267 illegal and unwanted firearms were confiscated and 197 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered. It is also worth noting that arrests made since the launch of Operation Shanela in May last year have risen to 314 728.”
Below is a breakdown of the arrests made counrtywide:
• Murder and attempted murder: 1 390.
• Rape: 1 252.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 1 682.
• Undocumented immigrants: 3 317.
• Possession of drugs: 3 973.
• Dealing in drugs: 575.
• Illegal dealing in liquor: 1 232.
• Assault GBH: 8 001.
• Assault common: 2 812.
• Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition 546.
Also Read: WATCH: Operation Shanela clamps down on crime in Boksburg
