Impersonification of law enforcement officers by criminals a challenge in Delmas

Some criminals impersonate law enforcement officers in order to rob unsuspecting motorists of their vehicles and belongings along the N12 near Delmas and surrounding areas.

The criminals impersonate the law enforcement officers by placing blue lights on top of the vehicles ‘dashboards and by wearing the officers’ uniform. They also use fake logos on the vehicles.

They then stop unsuspecting motorists and rob them at gunpoint, especially at night.

This emerged during the visit to police stations by Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Gabisile Shabalala.

Shabalala visited police stations in Delmas, Sundra, Phola and Vosman on Friday. The visits are part of the oversight role and monitoring that the Department does over the SAPS.

Shabalala was further briefed about the tensions between the farming communities and residents in Victor Khanye Local Municipality.

The police in Delmas also told the MEC about the sporadic protests by communities that are targeting mining houses in the area and demanding jobs.

Police also reported that some farmers believe that crime was not sufficiently addressed and, as a result, some farmers were reportedly taking the law into their own hands.

Other concerns at the stations include the non- availability of volunteers at most victim friendly facilities and the shortage of staff and vehicles at the stations.

The proliferation of drugs, particularly around Vosman, also came under the spotlight with the police saying it is contributing to house robberies and other violent crimes.

MEC Shabalala has called on the staff at these stations to continue working hard despite some of the challenges at their stations in terms of the resources.

“You must not be despondent but rather continue to work for communities. We will support because you continuously place your lives on the line in order to protect this country and its citizens,” the MEC said.

Shabalala also highlighted the need for the strengthening of highway patrols, saying that it would curtail robberies experienced in the affected areas.

According to Shabalala, the increased co-operation between the farming and local communities was also imperative for the achievement of peaceful coexistence.

She has also condemned vigilantism and urged farmers and communities to work together in order to curb crime.

She also indicated that government will continue to mobilize all stakeholders in the fighting crime, including the farming communities.