Sedibeng’s crime report for Festive Season
Tsotetsi thanked all the Law Enforcement Officials and other support structures for their dedication and persistence toward ensuring a safer Sedibeng region.
SEDIBENG.- It is common knowledge that during the festive season crime escalates, and there is also a significant increase of road crashes and fatalities.
As a result, various joint crime prevention operations were conducted across the Sedibeng region, under the stewardship of Major General Nkensani Lemba (Sedibeng District Commissioner). The operations were also attended by Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) MMC for Sports, Recreation, Arts, Culture, Heritage & Public Safety, Busang Tsotetsi. This was mostly for law enforcement, and most importantly for ensuring the safety and security of residents.
“As we await, the official announcement by the Minister of Police and Minister of Transport about the success of these special operations, I can indicate that Sedibeng SAPS with other supporting Law Enforcement agencies have played a critical role in ensuring that the six key priority areas as outlined by the National Commissioner are successfully implemented,” Tsotetsi said.
He further added that from the crime prevention operations conducted, over two thousand arrests were made across the Sedibeng region. Some of the most problematic offenses recorded during this period include Assault GBH and domestic violence-related incidents, with Evaton coming out as the most affected area. Vanderbijlpark also recorded more incidents of Common Assault, with some attributed to liquor-related incidents.
“Undocumented people remain a national crisis, and a high number of undocumented persons were also arrested across the Sedibeng region. Liquor-related incidents were also problematic during this period, with more incidents recorded around the Vanderbijlpark area. Nightlife and festivities during this period are common, therefore liquor traders should also play an active role towards ensuring that their patrons are safe upon leaving their places of operation.”
Road safety was also targeted during this period to monitor drunk and driving-related offenses, vehicle roadworthiness, and other general traffic-related offenses. A high number of incidents related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was recorded in Kliprivier, with Evaton recording a high number of traffic-related offenses.
Tsotetsi thanked all the Law Enforcement Officials and other support structures for their dedication and persistence toward ensuring a safer Sedibeng region during this past festive season. Furthermore, he reminded every participant in Local Government initiatives of building safer communities that, community engagement is always critical in ensuring that they are always well-informed of new developments in their surroundings.
“This would also create an opportunity for municipalities to connect and build strengthened relationships with their communities. As a result, this year, 2024, Sedibeng Community Safety Forum will intensify its presence within our communities to educate and create awareness on available community safety services that can be effectively utilised by communities to mitigate the aforementioned challenges.”
