Next stop, safety
Recently reported criminal activity around the station ignited the call to action of this operation
On Wednesday, August 30, the Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, and the Provincial South African Police Service commissioner, general Deliwe De Lange, took part in a passenger safety operation at the Kliptown train station area.
Recently reported criminal activity around the station ignited the call to action of this operation.
Nkosi-Malobane said that approximately 11 suspects were arrested for drug dealing in the area and about three suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in cellphone theft. Nkosi-Malobane said that people were also being scammed with nyaope-laced cigarettes which were passed off as legitimate.
Captain Phillemon Khorombi, spokesperson of the South African Police Service in Eldorado Park said, “We had a cordon and search operation with the purpose of ensuring safety and security in the Kliptown area. We focused mostly on the railway environment.
“The MEC of Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Molobane and the MEC of Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi were among the people in attendance. There were also other stakeholders like JMPD, railway security, Eskom and City Power who also participated in the operation.”
The recently reported crimes have left residents and public transport users in fear as they travel to and from work using this mode of transport.
Their fears have been intensified to the point where the MEC and other stakeholders intervened to allay the grievances of the Kliptown community as well as the surrounding areas.
“This operation yielded positive results. Four suspects were arrested who were between the ages of 18 to 26 years old. They were arrested for possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R 25 000. We also searched 71 premises, 1561 people, and 8 trains,” said Khorombi.
Social Media Platforms for News:
Twitter: @SowetoUrban, Facebook: Soweto Urban News, Instagram: @SowetoUrban
News site 1: Westside-Eldos Urban News, News site 2: Soweto Urban News
