Pinetown victims of crime advised to report cases
Pinetown police said reporting crime helps police strategise by deploying human and physical resources in areas affected with crime.
PINETOWN SAPS has encouraged the public to report any criminal activities they experience in the Pinetown area.
Although the area has been labelled ‘Crime Town’, with muggings reported on a daily basis on social media, Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Capt Bongumusa Manqele said their records do not reflect an increase in crimes reported.
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Manqele said reporting crime helps police strategise by deploying human and physical resources in areas affected with crime. It also allows them to analyse the crime trends.
“It also helps the police to investigate crimes and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.
In one of the most recent incidents, on Monday, 9 November, a man delivering fruit to the street hawkers, was shot and killed by an unknown man in Stanfield Lane.
Over the years, the Highway Mail has reported on many cases especially muggings at the intersections.
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In October a motorist who was attacked by three armed men retaliated and shot dead one of the suspects at the intersection between Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road) and Anderson Road in Pinetown. Two days after this, at the same intersection a Metro police officer, who witnessed a motorist being mugged, shot and killed one of the suspects.
Manqele said police have been deployed in Pinetown and surrounding areas to prevent crime.
Asked about their plans to curb crime especially with the festive season approaching, Manqele said police have been deployed in some of the areas where high incidents of crime have been reported before.
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“Stop and searches, foot patrols and patrolling with vehicles using blue lights are being done on a daily basis.”
Manqele assured the public police are working around the clock to prevent crime in Pinetown.
He also advised the public to not carry any valuable items that might attract criminals.
“Members of the public are encouraged to be vigilant at all times and avoid isolated areas,” he said.
In a recent statement from Fidelity ADT’s; district manager for KwaZulu-Natal, Vaughan Pillay urged all residents to be extra vigilant when driving in the evening as they have experienced a high number of vehicle-related incidents such as hijackings and theft from vehicles in the Pinetown area.
“We have seen a number of incidents, especially in the evenings, where hijackings have been committed at intersections. We advise residents to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you, to remain aware of your surroundings and to never fight back unless it is a life-threatening situation,” said Pillay.
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