Linden resident’s brave decision to take the story of an alleged Silver BMW syndicate to the media sparked outrage with the Linden Police Station.
The residents approached The Star Newspaper with CCTV footage that captured four suspects emerging armed from an infamous BMW about to rob a Linden home.
They collectively saw it fit to send the recordings to the media as a result of lack of activity from the police.
Linden Neighbourhood Watch operations manager Fareed Hoosen said the Linden police were not impressed the decision as it could potentially interfere with their investigations.
“I told them that we as a neighbourhood decided to go the media, it wasn’t a decision I took by myself,” he explained.
“After the article was published, I received calls all the way from Hartebeespoort, it was on the radio and we had a chat with African News Network. If people can see these pictures in the newspaper then more people can help,” said Hoosen
“It is shocking that it has to go this far for the police to act. This footage has been available for five weeks already and the previous investigative officer did not bother to fetch it. At the end of the day we don’t want to nail the police, we want to help them to catch these criminals.”
Hoosen also received a call from a car dealer in Pretoria who has a BMW with a licence plate identical to the one on the perpetrator’s BMW in his showroom.
The owner declined to comment because he was advised by the police not to speak to the media.
Linden Police station spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mulamu said when the police tell a person not to speak to the media, it is for the better.
“We are not declining them from expressing their feelings. We are protecting them from being victimised,” Mulamu explained.
According to Mulamu, the police were not against the residents’ decision but rather how Hoosen allegedly confirmed information on their behalf without contacting them.
“If anyone witnessed the car they should report the incident to the relevant police station and help us catch these people,” Mulamu pleaded.
Details: Linden police station 011 888 9212
