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‘Crime must fall’ Together the people of Welkom can make a difference
Gratis
Illicit mining fought
Marti Will mwill@volksblad.com
Marti Will
The police and the community have to join forces to be able to successfully combat crime. This is according to Capt. Stephen Thakeng, Welkom police spokesperson. “The police alone will not be able to do it, but together we can do so much more. Tell us how to police Welkom successfully,” he said at the first-ever Welkom SAPS Imbizo which was held in the Ferdi Meyer Hall on Tuesday evening (24/10). Important feedback on crime statistics and patterns during the period of 1 April to 30 September was reported. In turn, residents were afforded the opportunity to offer suggestions on crime prevention in their areas. Some 150 residents attended the meeting. During an open discussion, residents pointed out the ever-increasing threat of zama-zamas. Col Didi Ramoolla, acting station commander of Welkom, acknowledged that the zamas are a challenge. “They are very organised and highlyfocused. But the police and mining security are now very directed in combating this problem and have a specific strategy in place. “On Friday (20/10), we had an extremely successful operation that led to many arrests. Illegal firearms were also seized,” said Ramoolla. Vicky Morris, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) of Public Safety and Transport, said the army should be engaged in the fight against the zamas. “Look at what is being done in the Western Cape’s drug war. Let us work together to reinstate Welkom to what it was,” said Morris. Ramoolla believes the perceptions of Welkom must change. “This meeting has given the community a platform and an ear. We have received a mandate from you and we will act. In three months’ time, you will give us a fresh mandate and we will give you feedback. #CrimeMustFall,” he said.
A successful police operation to combat illicit mining in the Goldfields was held on Friday (20/10). Altogether 22 people were arrested for various crimes. These crimes include the illegal possession of dagga and gold-bearing material, as well as trespassing and the possession of suspected stolen goods. Extensive police resources were used, involving both the Welkom and Thabong Police Clusters. The Welkom and Thabong Detective Services, the Crime Intelligence of Thabong and Welkom, the Welkom K9 Unit, the Free State Airwing, and Harmony Mine Security took part in the operation. It was conducted as a stop and search. The police confiscated, among others, 84 930 litres of liquor, 23 crates of liquor, 70 kg of goldbearing material, four gold mills, 13 spades and 2 pick axes, 2 gwalas, 7 25 kg white bags containing gold-bearing dust, two basins full of gold bearing-dust, 25 blankets containing gold-bearing dust, three butcher knives and 25 kg of dagga. Capt. Stephen Thakeng, Welkom police spokesperson, says the people who were arrested, were also profiled.
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Some of the dignitaries who attended the Welkom SAPS Imbizo in the Ferdi Meyer Hall on Tuesday (24/10) are from the left, front: Col Koos van der Merwe (commander of SAPS Support Services); back: Vicky Harrison, Claudie Doig, Zack Rossouw (treasurer), Vicky Morris (MMC Public Safety and Transport), Col Didi Ramoolla (acting station commander), Lt.Col Simon Ceba (acting visible policing commander), Mpho Mogaecho (Community Policing Forum chairperson), Tracey Daley and Janine Harrison. Photo: Marti Will
) Crime trends indicate that murder, followed by attempted murder and aggravated robbery, are a cause for concern in Welkom. Murders caused by shooting or stabbing, especially in Bedelia, President Steyn, St Helena, the Phomolong Village and the Welkom CBD, are rife. In St Helena, Phomolong, Phakisa Residence, Bedelia and Rheederpark, attempted murders are endemic. The CBD, Voorspoed and Riebeeckstad go bowed beneath aggrevated robbery, while burglarlies at businesses is a problem in the CBD, Voorspoed and Dagbreek. Residential burglaries is prevalent in Riebeeckstad, Dagbreek and
Bedelia. A shoplifting trend, especially on Saturdays and Tuesdays, has been noted in the CBD and Voorspoed. Statistics indicate that in 23 cases, illegal firearms and 93 dangerous weapons (mostly knives) were recovered. In this period, the police confiscated 121 kg of dagga and 306 g of other drugs. They recovered 31 vehicles. Arrests in 8 murder cases, 5 attempted murder cases, 31 aggravated robbery cases and 20 business burglarly cases were affected. Altogether 11 residential theft cases were solved, as were two car thefts and 150 shoplifting cases.
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