‘Crime not to be tolerated in Randfontein this Easter’
A joint operation for a safer Easter was held by police in partnership with the CPF, EPR, CoGTA and the fire and rescue services early on Wednesday.
Police held a joint operation and Safer Easter Awareness campaign in partnership with other stakeholders on Homestead Avenue early on Wednesday, 31 March.
According to Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander, the campaign alerted the community about observing safety measures during the Easter weekend, as many often fall victim to crime. Recklessness, abuse and gender-based violence also tend to be on the rise during this period.
“We have partnered with the Community Policing Forum (CPF), EPR security, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and the Randfontein Fire and Rescue Services to create safety awareness because we want to sensitise people about these problems,” Manamela said.
He explained that much like the festive season, Easter also sees fatalities as many disregard the law by drinking and driving, while some fail to arm their security systems, leaving many vulnerable to home invasions. He said sometimes people are careless, and not aware of the risks and dangers around them.
“You find that even their vehicles are broken into because they leave valuable items such as laptops and cellphones in full view of the prying eyes,” Manamela said
He added the campaign will also give homeowners various ways to safeguard their properties, and urged people to avoid causing fire emergencies by leaving appliances unattended.
Manamela said while many will be making their way to various destinations during the Easter break, people need to be aware that criminals too will be getting to ‘work’.
“We’d like the community to partner and cooperate with us by making sure that if they see anything suspicious, they report it to the police immediately, because it is our duty to make sure that the community feels safe at all times – we don’t want any member of this community becoming a victim of crime,” Manamela said.
Henry Boyce, the CPF operations coordinator, said 3 000 safety leaflets were handed out to motorists on the morning of the operation.
The pamphlets have emergency numbers on them and we will be on standby to assist those who need our help, because we are not tolerating any crime,” Boyce said.
CPF emergency contacts:Â
• Vleikop/ Rikasrus – Gunther on 083 654 9244
• Pelzvale – Johan on 082 328 3558
• Hillside/ Ten Acres – Japie on 065 908 5426
• Mohlakeng – Tiny on 063 344 3704
• Town areas – Henry on 073 444 5864
Randfontein Police:
• 011 414 4992
• 011 412 7666
• 071 675 7094
