Polokwane: CPF plans to combat the stripping of abandoned buildings
The Community Policing Forum is working towards the development of an action plan to combat the stripping of abandoned buildings in the city where criminals often hide after committing crimes.
POLOKWANE – The forum noted that buildings in Penina Park, Ivy Park and around the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital are mostly targeted by criminals wanting to make a quick buck.
Polokwane Observer was called to a building on Nelson Mandela drive that had been stripped of everything that is valuable, leaving it without windows, doors, toilets and parts of the roof.
A neighbouring businessman says the building was in top-notch shape three months prior to the incident, and that he was surprised one morning to realise that it was being stripped bit by bit.
“It has been a while since anyone has been here. The building was previously used by the department but homeless people have been sleeping here since and I suspect they are the ones selling the items.”
Francois Swart, media liaison officer for the CPF says they understand that everyone is trying to make a living in these tough times but that this is not an excuse for theft, adding that most of the targeted houses have been abandoned by their owners for years which makes it a challenge for them as there is no one to account for it.
“At the end of the day it is the owners’ responsibility but it affects all of us as we can’t just sit down and watch as the properties are being vandalised because that will reflect badly on the entire neighbourhood when one house makes the whole street look untidy and unsafe. Very often these criminals hide in these houses as well.”
Polokwane Observer spoke to Tidimalo Chuene, education spokesperson who was able to confirm that the building referred to above was used by the department as an examinations warehouse to store Gr 12 marked scripts.
“It is not owned by the department. The lease was terminated in March 2019 and the building is currently not in use by the department.
All departmental assets were transferred or relocated back to 113 Biccard and security personnel withdrawn upon termination of the contract.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says the Polokwane station has had no recent reports of vandalism at the time the Polokwane Magistrate’s court was gutted by a fire, similar incidents of stripping surfaced.
“The best thing for people to do when they notice these types of incidents is to report it to the police.
“There are officials that may be contacted for any criminal activities around Polokwane such as the Vispol commander, Col André Kotze on 0824142314, the Relief Commander on 079 889 5794 or any officials at the crime office on 079 894 5541,” Mojapelo said.
He says in the meantime they will also engage the municipality on the matter.
