Sophiatown Neighbourhood Watch (SNW) responded to an armed robbery in progress at a residence in Toby Street around 7.30pm on 14 June. While making their getaway in a vehicle waiting at the scene, the suspects drove onto the pavement and tried to run over one of the SNW patrollers. The vehicle was a silver Toyota Corolla. The driver was a white male, with three black male accomplices.
SNW chairperson Dauw Steyn said that officers from SAPS arrived at the scene an hour later. When asked why they had taken so long to respond to an armed robbery in progress complaint, the officers became aggressive, then left without taking a statement from the homeowner.
“I sent a message via WhatsApp to the station commander Brigadier Crawford advising her of the problem,” said Steyn. “There has been no response from her to date.”
Three hours after the incident, when it became clear that no one from SAPS was coming out to assist, Steyn said he advised the homeowner to go to the police station to open a case.
“We do understand that SAPS have their hands full with crime hotspots like Westbury and Newlands,” said Steyn. “But that does not excuse the bad attitudes of the officers at the afore-mentioned incident, and the overall lack of service delivery to other parts of the precinct. We are urging the Minister of Police as well as the provincial commissioner to urgently address the manpower problem at the station and the lack of commitment on their part. Less excuses, more accountability, and the allocation of more resources, without delay.”
Spokesperson for Sophiatown Police Station Warrant Officer TJ de Bruyn said that they are aware of the incident. “We do everything possible with the manpower we have to serve the community as best we can. This was an isolated incident. This is not the norm. The matter is under investigation.”
Details:
Sophiatown Neighbourhood Watch
