Police deny serial killers are at work

Krugersdorp Police confirmed that the allegations of serial killers being on the loose are false and that Krugersdorpers need not live in fear. Instead they should apply basic security measures.

The statement was released after the News contacted the West Rand Police Cluster Commander, General Anna Mateisi regarding the three senseless murders last month that have Krugersdorp residents in a frenzy.

“Normal procedures are applied as in all priority investigations in respect of contact crimes where the provincial Operational Coordination Centre (OCC) was requested by the detectives to assist with possible linkages of other murders where victims were killed for cash, cellphones and tablets, but no vehicles were taken. This process includes murders throughout the province and in this case focusing primarily on surrounding stations,” the West Rand Cluster spokesperson, Captain Appel Ernst said.

She thanked the Community Policing Forum for an outstanding and commendable job done in many of the cases pertaining to people going missing.

“We sincerely appreciate the partnership and assistance.”

However, Ernst did not provide any new information about the recent murders and rather tip-toed around the questions the News presented to the police.

“Furthermore, when it gets down to specialised investigative technology, police stations assisted by the OCC aim to do investigations objectively, methodical, reconstructing the crime and trying to uncover the truth per case, while finding evidence to build proper cases and expose and prove evidential linkages to other cases, if such exist. During this process it is a historical proven fact that you need to secure and protect your processes to ensure success. The matter is sensitive but we can say that excellent progress has been made in various cases. We are positive that we will succeed.”

Replying to the question about what is being done about the recent murders, Ernst referred back to her previous comment and stated that no further details would be given at this stage.

It has also been widely reported that Krugersdorp Police are on high alert – but what exactly does that mean?

“It must be your perception that the police are on high alert. Police deploy visible policing according to daily crime statistics to police identified crime ‘hot spots’. Murders for example don’t necessarily follow the crime pattern and it is impossible to anticipate the next murder. More so where individuals are lured to places and in circumstances where they can be robbed.”

Read more:

Women gang-raped – police on high alert

When asked about other unsolved violent-crime cases in Krugersdorp, nothing new has been made public, despite the News’ numerous requests for an update.

“Excellent progress has already been made in some of the murder cases we are investigating,” Ernst said, referring to the availability of ID kits or CCTV footage.

Read more:

Police needs help in couple’s murder

Still no arrests made following couple’s murder

Ma soek self na seun se moordenaar

Azaadville double murder: police need info

She could also not disclose the modus operandi of the suspects involved in the recent murders. She said the investigations are at a sensitive stage and many details have been published in various media forums.

She further stated that Krugersdorpers need not fear; they are not being targeted. Ernst described the past three incidents as opportunistic crimes targeting ‘soft targets’.

“Therefore members of the public must make themselves difficult targets by applying basic security measures.”

When asked if a specialised unit from the National Police Service would be deployed to help with the investigation of the murders, Ernst said, “The OCC is requested by the various detective units to assist whenever there is a need. There is absolutely no evidence that a serial killer/s is/are at work here. We are dealing with aggravated robberies. Sensational allegations will not assist the situation, instead it will make it worse. We will always give you our cooperation by providing facts without compromising a sensitive stage of any investigation,” she concluded.

More on Hanle Lategan:

What happened hours before Hanle went missing?

Woman’s body identified

Watch: Body fits description of missing woman

Police releases statement of body found

Missing Hanlie has Krugersdorpers frantic with worry

More on the murdered brokers:

Another broker’s body found in car’s boot

Police on manhunt for broker’s killers

No arrests yet following gruesome murders