Vehicle-related crime on the rise, according to stakeholders meeting
The meeting gave the crime statistics for the past month before addressing long-standing issues.
The Brakpan SAPS hosted its monthly stakeholders meeting to address crime and crime prevention in the town last Wednesday.
Right off the bat, the SAPS told attendees the matter of hospitals not wanting to complete a J88 form without a case number was addressed. They will give feedback on the way forward at the next meeting.
The Brakpan SAPS Lieutenant Colonel Peet van der Schyff gave the crime overview for the past month, which was as follows:
Contact crimes decreased by 37% from last year at this time. Common robbery is up by one case, sexual assault by one, theft out of motor vehicle by two and shoplifting by six compared to the previous year at this time.
“Hijackings on the R23 offramp are a concern despite consistent patrolling and activity in the area, so be careful and vigilant,“ said Van der Schyff.
All other crimes remained the same or decreased compared to the same time last year.
“Crime is looking good except for the hijackings,” he said.
Hijackings occur mostly between 06:00 and noon and 18:00 and midnight. They generally happen on Mondays, on the R23 offramp and around Dalpark 6 and Leachville.
House burglaries occur most often on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 06:00 and noon and 18:00 and midnight. The problem areas are Brakpan CBD, Dalpark Exts 6, 9 and 11, and Leachville Ext 3.
Theft out of motor vehicles occurs daily between 18:00 and midnight, generally in the Brakpan CBD and Dalpark 6, 9 and 11. There were many cases this past month on Prince George Avenue.
AfriForum raised the issue of infrastructure thieves stashing their spoils or squatting in substations. Locations were identified for investigation.
Illegal mining has calmed down in Brakpan North due to constant operations but is still a problem in the CBD.
ALSO READ: Muriel Brand ontvang 80 paar skoene
Tampering with infrastructure is still an issue in Withok, and the public is urged to report suspicious activity immediately and not wait until the next day.
The NPA is making strides with infrastructure matters, sentencing suspects to eight to 12 years for tampering or theft of infrastructure. Illegal immigrants who commit crimes are sentenced for the crime, which they will serve before being deported.
Freedom Front Plus PR Clr Riaan van Zyl told the stakeholders council will hold a meeting on the financial state of the metro, where they will make financial records available. This will help council determine if the rumour that the metro is bankrupt holds water.
Due to budget constraints, the parks department has faulty equipment and no funds to repair or replace it, leaving them concerned about how they will manage the rainy season.
