A suspect was driving home with his girlfriend when they stopped to check the vehicle as there was a problem on it.
Mr Cezokuhle Moloi said that on Sunday, September 27 at 22:50 he was driving his green Volkswagen Golf. There was a problem with his vehicle and he stopped next to the road with his girlfriend.
Moloi fixed the problem, he was about to pull away when a blue Toyota Tazz stopped behind him and asked if there was a problem.
Moloi replied that everything was fine with his vehicle. As he pulled away again, the driver in the Tazz stopped in front of him.
Two people climbed out of the Tazz, walked over to Moloi and his girlfriend.
The suspects opened the door, Moloi was taken out of the vehicle and tied up. The suspect tried to stab Moloi but missed.
The suspect took the Volkswagen Golf, leaving Moloi and his girlfriend behind.
Moloi made contact with his brother who fetched them and called the police.
Democratic Alliance Bosman Grobler Mpumalanga Spokesperson on Community Safety and Security sent out a press release on “Carjacking in Mpumalanga has skyrocketed, serious crimes up.”
Rising levels of crime in South Africa are leaving us all unsafe and in fear for our safety, as the government and South Africa Police Service fail to protect us and fail to improve policing through training.
Carjacking in Mpumalanga has increased by 41.8% in the past year, Mpumalanga is now ranked fifth in the country for this crime.
These statistics were released by the Police Minister Nathi Nhleko in Parliament on Tuesday, September 29.
The overall crime statistics for the 2014/15 year showed a marginal increase in Mpumalanga, however specific crimes have spiked and will continue to rise due to the unemployment rate.
The country would be far safer with a competent, highly equipped police service that can turn the tide against crime.
“We also need an effective justice system. the DA’s vision for South Africa is one in which our country is safer through a competent police service and successful prosecution,” said Mr Grobler.
Cash in Transit robbery has also increased by 55%, which puts the province at number four in the country for this crime, while Mpumalanga is ranked with the second highest in truck-jacking in the country.
Common Robberies have decreased in the province as it appears that the perpetrators have elevated this crime to robberies with aggravated circumstances which increased by 7.7% meaning that citizens are now less safe and more exposed to violent robberies.
It is concerning that the already high numbers of arson, murder and stock theft also increased in the last year by 11.9%, 3.1% and 0.5% respectively.
“I will urgently write to the portfolio committee chairperson, Hon GC Shabalala for Public Works Roads and Transport and Community Safety Security and Liaison and ask that the MEC appear before the committee and present the provincial crimes states to the portfolio committee for scrutiny,” said Grobler.
Grobler will also demand answers on why don’t they bring back specialized units into the SAPS, like the introduction of rural safety units and anti-gang and drug units.
“National government and the SAPS are hopelessly underprotecting us, and are destroying the image of our country,” said Grobler.
