Ward 102 councillor, David Potter has raised his concerns about the rising number of robberies on arterial roads such as Conrad and William Nicol drives as well as Republic Road and Jan Smuts Avenue.
Potter has started a petition which is sitting on 1 128 signatures as of 23 September, with a target of 1 500 signatures.
The councillor explained that the petition is aimed at provincial police service. “We really need to increase police visibility and crime intelligence on our roads. As a councillor, I’m also petrified when driving around lately.
“SAPS have been seen patrolling at some intersections, but irregularly. Arrests have taken place, but not enough.”
Potter identified the following intersections as robbery hotspots:
- William Nicol Drive and Republic Road
- William Nicol Drive and Peter Place
- Jan Smuts and Bram Fischer Drive
- Main Road and Bram Fischer Drive
- Jan Smuts Avenue and Bompas Road
- Jan Smuts Avenue and 6th Road
- Jan Smuts and Buckingham avenues.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said crime prevention officers and crime intelligence are monitoring the identified hotspots.
Spokesperson for the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Pinkie Numa said “We should learn to mobilise our motorists. Should motorist notice any wrongdoings at intersections, they should do something, hoot, throw something and distract the robbers.”
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/231470/two-arrested-hijacking-near-william-nicol-drive/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/232011/two-incidents-of-theft-on-william-nicol-drive-within-a-few-days/
