The Stabilisation Team deployed in the Tshwane district has made significant progress in its mission to combat crime the north of the city. Picture: Jacques Naude/African News Agency(ANA)
The Stabilisation Team deployed in the Tshwane district has made significant progress in its mission to combat crime the north of the city.
The team arrested 51 suspects for various offences and recovered 26 stolen and hijacked vehicles as well as seven unlicensed firearms for the period June 9 to July 14, 2024.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the operation will continue until the affected areas and crime related to road spiking, robberies associated with online shopping, drugs and car-jacking and theft of motor vehicles have been stabilised.
“The Stabilisation Team was launched and presented to the affected communities by the Ministry of Police on May 14, 2024, expressing confidence in the team’s effort assuring the community that it will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents,” she said.
She said the affected police stations are Soshanguve, Rietgat, Loate, Mabopane and Akasia.
As the operation continues, residents in the Tshwane district are taking comfort in knowing that a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals are working to make their communities safe.
Muridili added that the team comprises of members from crime intelligence, visible policing, detectives, flying squad, K9 coupled with Tshwane Metro Police Department, Gauteng Traffic and Traffic Wardens, private security and Community Policing Forum will be supported by specialised units of the SAPS, namely the Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Policing as well as Drone units.
Soshanguve residents raised their concern over the high rate of crime in the north of Pretoria.
Resident from Soshanguve, Kgomotso Mphahlele, said that they feel frustrated and fearful due to the persistent crime incidents.
“I always worry about my safety, especially when I am coming back from work late, in my area I cannot even request Uber or bolt because they get hijacked,” she said.
Another resident said there is insufficient visible policing in the Soshanguve and surrounding areas.
“We want police to be more visible and responsive, during the crime imbizo they promised us that there will be police visible but we have not seen that yet, the crime in the north of Pretoria has risen and these criminals are getting away with it recently a medical delivery vehicle was hijacked imagine if these criminals do that we will not be offered services like ambulances,” she said.
The new Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, said the seventh administration will act decisively to bring the level of crime in this country under control.
“To enhance police visibility, improve community responsiveness, detection rate, crime intelligence capability and to build confidence in the police service, we are committed to expanding our workforce,” he said on Monday.
Mchunu said for the 2024/2025 financial year additional funding will enable them to appoint another 10,000 police trainees, covering personnel losses through natural attribution and facilitating workforce grown.
He added that, one of their priorities is reducing violent crimes, gender-based violence, and femicide.
“We will place a strong emphasis on community mobilisation to increase police visibility through strategic partnership,” he said.
Pretoria News
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