SEDIBENG – A growing trend of crime spilling over from Sedibeng into the Free State has prompted top brass from both regions to sit down and plot their next moves.
In a high-level meet and greet last week Tuesday (September 03) Sedibeng Cluster Police Commissioner, Major General Nkhensani Lemba and her Free State counterpart Major General Moses Makubo have vowed to put a stop to criminal syndicates operating across the border.
The meeting came hot on the heels of a dramatic arrest in Sharpeville, where a quartet was nabbed after allegedly kidnapping a pastor and his wife from the Free State.
The shocking incident not only rattled residents but also signalled a growing trend of cross-border crimes that have left law enforcement scrambling.
Speaking at the meeting, Makubo expressed concerns about the increasing criminal activity in Fezile Dabi that often stems from Sedibeng territories.
“The purpose of this meet and greet is to come up with an amicable solution and a stern plan to deal with unscrupulous individuals since we have the same enemies. Working in silos will not help us, but rather the criminals who run syndicates across provincial lines. If we properly plan, we can easily manipulate the minor resources we have in combating crime,” he said.
“We had a terrible experience recently of kidnapping and we had to cross borders but through the cooperation we received with the officers on the ground, we don’t trespass your terrain without you knowing. Most of the crimes in my area come from the Sedibeng District, hence it’s important to work together,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lemba highlighted the need for closer collaboration between the police forces.
“This is no longer just a Free State problem or a Sedibeng problem. Criminals don’t respect borders. As it stands, our water wing always faces challenges in the river when they patrol. People are coming in from your area to commit crimes in Sedibeng. We need to strengthen our collaboration with the different units we have to combat these growing crimes,” she said.
Lemba said compulsory roadblocks and sting operations on the border will help the two regions work together.
