Police say crime in Kraaifontein, Brackenfell and Kuils River did not take a break during the festive season.
Despite increased patrols in the Kraaifontein policing precinct, spokesman Captain Hein Hendricks said 142 suspects were arrested between Wednesday January 1 and Monday January 6 on various criminal charges, including attempted murder, two rape cases, eight house break-ins and general crimes.
During this period, 41 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs such as tik, mandrax and dagga.
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these suspects were worth R6 000 in street value,” said Captain Hendricks.
He added that what kept police busy during the season was the closing of illegal shebeens and taverns in all areas, including informal settlements.
“Seven people were arrested for liquor-related offences and over 150 litres of liquor confiscated,” he said.
In other incidents during the December period, a 28-year-old man was shot dead on Christmas Day, December 25.
According to Captain Hendricks, the man was sitting in a parked car on the corner of 11th Avenue and Petersen Road in Eikendal when two gunmen fired multiple shots at him.
He said two suspects, aged 29 and 47, were arrested on the same day of the shooting and made their first appearance at Blue Downs Regional Court on Friday December 27.
The case was withdrawn against the 29-year-old suspect due to insufficient evidence. However, the 47-year-old suspect’s case was postponed for further investigation, and he appeared again on Friday January 3.
He was released on R500 bail and is due to appear in court again on Friday April 3.
On Saturday December 28, police arrested three men, aged 19, 26 and 35, for robbing a security guard who was on his way home from work.
The suspects stopped their red Toyota Tazz next to the security guard in Maroela Street, Kraaifontein, and pointed an imitation gun and a knife at him. They assaulted him and forced him into the vehicle,” said Captain Hendricks.
The suspects robbed the victim of his smartphone and R2 500 cash.
After the robbery, the security guard stopped Kraaifontein police members doing routine patrols and gave them a detailed description of the perpetrators. Police spotted the vehicle at the Shell petrol station in Voortrekker Road.
The men were arrested and detained at the Kraaifontein police station.
Kuils River police had their hands full with shoplifting incidents, drug searches and searching for liquor being sold after hours.
More than 19 shoplifting incidents were recorded, 41 drug searches and 40 liquor searches between December 27 and January 6.
Station commander Jaycee Naidoo asked for assistance from the community who he says are their eyes and ears on the ground.
Brackenfell police assistant station commander Colonel Jakobus Marthinus said he expected the festive season to be a busy one but regular patrols by police, private security companies and neighbourhood watches had helped reduce crime.
“Several integrated operations were held like vehicle checkpoints and rural and urban patrols. This led to the arrests of five drunken drivers,” he said.
To date one murder was reported where the body of a 50-year-old male was shot coming from work in Petersen street near Eikenfontein Railway Station.
He urged anyone with information to contact Brackenfell SAPS on 021 980 5700.