The Midrand Community Policing Forum (CPF) spent the evening of 20 March thanking the community for their involvement in response to the recent robbery at the Kyalami Country Club.
The incident took place on 11 March at the club, when 11 assailants forced their way into the premises and compelled patrons to hand over their cell phones and wallets. The criminals also used explosives to open the club’s safe, but the community responded quickly to the situation.
“We’re lucky to have a very active community who responded to the incident,” explained Takis Michalakis of the Midrand CPF. “In the 12 hours after the robbery, seven suspects were arrested. An eighth suspect was arrested soon afterwards.”
The CPF decided to take some time during one of their meetings, hosted at the Midrand South African Police Station (Saps) on 20 March to thank those who played a part. A total of 49 certificates were handed out to those present as a thank you for their hard work. Saps officers, security companies and members of the community were among those thanked.
Major General Nick Sithole, the Joburg North Cluster Commander for the Saps, was also present on the evening and spoke to the crowd.
“I am very much impressed at how the community worked together,” Sithole said. “The country is very much impressed by this single case, and this is the first time that so many people came together to fight the criminals. Those who committed the bombing soon found out that they had nowhere to go.
“All of those arrested [the eight suspects in custody] have been positively identified and we are building a strong case against them. Keep up the good work!”
Investigations into the incident are still ongoing, but officials are hesitant to provide any further information to the public for fear that it could impact the case.
“It was a very important success, and it’s unprecedented how many people were arrested,” said Michalakis. “We wanted to thank and acknowledge the community for their hard work. Many of us are volunteers, who give up times with families to work in the community.”
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