Councillor pleads for more visible policing
RANDBURG – Ward 102 councillor David Potter has grown concerned about the crime at main intersections in the Randburg area.
Ward 102 councillor David Potter has grown concerned about a recent spike in crime at main intersections in the Randburg area that residents have shared in their numbers on social media.
Potter said that over a year ago on 13 June 2018, he raised this issue with the station commanders of the Randburg, Linden and Sandton police stations.
The Randburg Sun reported on 8 August 2018 of a meeting that took place between City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun and police stations to set out a plan to fight crime at hotspots in Fourways, Randburg and Sandton.
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At the meeting, an increase in smash-and-grab crimes around the Randburg area was noted, prompting police to put a plan of action into place.
Since then according to Potter, only the Sandton police provided visible regular monitoring at the intersection of William Nicol Drive corner Republic Road on a permanent basis.
In a letter pleading with Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature John Moodey to help address the problem, Potter said, “It is unfortunate that this situation has not changed and in fact seems to have gotten worse, especially in recent weeks with multiple social media postings related to the incidents.
“The situation is that when motorists approach an intersection, anywhere between one and three likely armed persons request with force for the motorist to open the vehicle window or door and proceed to demand valuables from the motorist such as cellphones, wallets, jewellery and the like. The motorist is left with no option but to hand this over, with the offenders walking off following the crime.”
Potter noted that during the recent Presidential Inauguration, police vehicles and officers were posted on the hotspots of Bram Fischer Drive, Malibongwe Drive, Jan Smuts Avenue, Peter Place, William Nicol Drive and Main Road.
He said that during this time, there was seemingly little to no mention on social media forums of any incidents occurring.
Potter also drew attention to various residents on social media have recently shared their personal encounters with crime at these crime hotspots.
Robbed at gunpoint this evening by two thugs on Republic Road coming out of Sandton (near Bordeaux). Wedding ring and smartphone stolen. Scum. Be careful out there…
— Duncan McLeod (@mcleodd) July 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/russell_morton/status/1154282712011874306?s=21
Potter added, “I can confirm that the Randburg police, with thanks to the Bryanston community, recently engaged with their sector team and covertly conducted operations at Peter Place and Main Road that resulted in arrests.”
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