The areas in Randfontein that have the highest crime rate were announced, as were several other crime-related issues, at a recent crime meeting held at Laerskool Wheatlands.
On Tuesday, 7 March, Community Policing Forum (CPF) members joined hands with the Randfontein Police to address residents regarding crime.
Among the many attendees were several well-known residents and public figures from the community, such as Democratic Alliance ward councillor, Alwyn van Tonder; Randfontein High School deputy principal, Jason Fischer; owner of the Randfontein Oval Track, Deon Coetzee, and the chairperson of Sector 5A of the CPF, Henry Boyce.
Zaheer Gangat, executive chairperson of the CPF, led the meeting, and said that the most important function of the meeting was to inform the residents that they need to stand together, join the Wheatlands CPF and work with the police. Gangat added that the CPF and its members need to be transparent in what they do and abide by the law.
“Any resident can help. Elderly people may not be able to help physically, but they can help by sending Whatsapp messages, and so on. Every resident can play a role in keeping Wheatlands safe.” He said further that residents need to be vigilant, and communicate with each other, the police and the CPF.
After that, Warrant Officer Fanus van der Merwe, from the Crime Intelligence Department at the Randfontein Police told the residents what the most common types of crimes in Wheatlands are. Number one on the list was theft of quad bikes, with general theft coming in at number two. He also said, “Most criminal activity occurs between 8 and 12 at night, especially on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays”. Residents are more vulnerable at these times because they are unwinding and relaxing.
At this point, the residents began asking questions about when they are allowed to defend themselves. This subject was referred back to the law.
Van der Merwe also listed the areas that have the highest crime activity. These are:
1. Mohlakeng
2. Toekomsrus
3. Randfontein CBD
4. Randfontein residential areas
5. Plots
Wheatlands was 14th on the list.
One of the residents then said that illegal immigrants are also a problem on farms/ plots.
This was the cue for Brigadier Jacob Manamela from the Randfontein Police to take the stage. Manamela said, “The reason we are holding these meetings is because I want to hear from the community. I see the frustration of the community. I am here to address these challenges.”
He also said that one crime is too many. He said there will be zero tolerance for crime in Wheatlands. He went on to say that he accepts and appreciates criticism, because then he can change his strategies. He asked the community whether they could start assisting the police and the CPF controllers in the area.
He continued, saying, with regard to the CPF controllers, that he wants to know which vehicles are going out and who the controller is, not only for overall control, but also so that he stays in the loop. “Senior citizens should be looked after in the community. We should know where they stay, and make sure they and we can communicate with each other.” He then asked the community to join hands with him and each other, because they need each other.
There was general laughter when he said, ” When you catch a criminal, hold him for me … hold him very tightly.”
The residents then had an opportunity to pose questions to Brigadier Manamela. He answered them to the best of his ability and made notes about the community’s concerns and ideas. Jason Fischer mentioned that two-way radios could be helpful. He also said that he might be small in stature, but prayer is big. Henry Boyce told the audience (and the Herald) that the CPF in Wheatlands needs more residents to get involved. He reminded everyone that the CPF works within the framework of the law, and that their members were easily identifiable by their identity tags, reflective jackets, and so on.
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