Dotted project to fight crime in Thohoyandou

LIMPOPO – THOHOYANDOU Block F, which is largely known as the region’s crime hot spot, will soon be crime free thanks to a partnership between Data Dot Technology and the Thohoyandou cluster police, which saw the launch of a property-related crimes pilot project.

The project was launched last Wednesday.

Data dots are applied to specified locations by means of an applicator, and dots are detected by exposing areas of the asset to ultra-violet lighting (UV torch), which will illuminate contaminated locations.

Data Dot Technology, project manager in the Vhembe region, Lazarus Malovhele, said the project would also be piloted to other areas where crime was high.

“Because of the sheer number of data dots applied to the asset and the unique information reflected on them, it becomes virtually impossible to completely get rid of stolen assets or its tradable components of its original identity,” Malovhele said.

He added that when dots were found by the police or other law enforcement agencies, it gave them a starting point in their investigation.

Malovhele said the top 10 household items to receive the dots were microwaves, cell phones, hi-fi systems, TV’s, fridges and kettles, while items such as vehicles, trailers, motorbikes and construction vehicles could not be dotted.

Kanakana Ligege of Thohoyandou Block F Civic Association, said they welcomed the project and the association would work hand-in-hand with the police in the Thohoyandou cluster to reduce crime.

WO Mashudu Madida of the Thohoyandou cluster police, said Data Dot Technology was a strategic partner in fighting crime.

“We understand that Thohoyandou Block F is targeted by the criminals because they think that the residents are rich. We hope the project will yield good results, and as time goes on, the block will be crime free and a better place to visit and do business,” Madida said.