342 arrests in Limpopo

Limpopo – Following ‘operation back to basics: safer festive season 2017/2018’, which was launched in Limpopo last month, the police in the province arrested 1 571 suspects for various offences between Friday, 13 October and Tuesday, 14 November 2017.  

Crime intelligence driven operations resulted in 342 arrests for contact crimes. Another 496 were arrested in Rustenburg, 369 in Brits, 165 in Mahikeng, 334 in Klerksdorp, while a total of 207 were nabbed in Zeerust, Vryburg and Pudimoe clusters.

  “The Police and role players will continue with these kinds of operations to intensify the work done throughout the year,” says brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, police spokesperson. The community is urged to work together with the police through legitimate structures such as the Community Police Forum (CPF) and to apply the following safety tips.

General Tips: 

• Know all your emergency numbers. 
• Make provision for good outside-lighting. Remember, outside-lights that are on during the day draw the attention of thieves.
• Do not leave your garage, front or back doors opened or partially opened.
• Always check the identity of strangers who visit for business purposes to do deliveries or repairs. 
• If you know that you will be away for a longer period, do not leave your house unattended, rather leave another person to take care of it or report your absence to the police so that they can make turns at your place during patrols.  

Safety in your car: 

• Do not drink and drive and do not speed.
• To avoid hijackings, know your destination and the directions and be alert if you get lost.
• Never leave keys in the ignition when getting out of the car to open the gate.
• Motorists are warned to exercise caution, be alert and avoid at all costs to give lifts to hitch-hikers, as some of these people victimise the same motorists who offer them lifts by robbing them and vice versa. 

Street safety:

• Plan your route beforehand
• In case of pedestrians, do not drink and walk on or along the road.
• If possible, avoid walking alone. Your best defence is having other people nearby.
• If you walk alone, plan your route carefully and stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.
• It is advisable not to carry large sums of money around, rather use conventional ways of saving money and doing transactions.
• Carry as little cash as possible.
• Always keep an eye on what is going on around you. 

ATM safety: 

• Always cover your pin by shielding the hand that is typing.
• Never accept help or ask anyone to assist you in the ATM.
• Avoid isolated ATMs and using the ATM late at night.
• Never let strangers touch your card.