Pretoria - Crime along the Mabopane highway (R80) has escalated again a year after truck drivers and motorists blocked the road to demand intervention.
The incident resulted in a series of operations by the SAPS, Tshwane metro police and community policing forums. It was during these operations that weapons were found at Theo Martins Poort. The police arrested eight suspects for the crimes.
Police and the residents’ structures have acknowledged information circulating on social media about pedestrians falling prey to robbers who carry knives and firearms.
Last year, members of the public were shocked by the gruesome nature of the assaults on unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians, who were stabbed and sometimes hit with stones.
SAPS acting district commissioner, Brigadier Samuel Thine, called on victims to report the crimes. He said the victims were being mugged either in the bushes, passages or “by the wall” by people who use taxis to Soshanguve and those who cross over to Akasia, Heatherdale, Heatherview and surrounding areas.
Pretoria spokesperson, Captain Augustinah Selepe, said: “These suspects also target motorists on the intersection of the R80 towards Brits Weg at night.
“Through internal enquiries by the SAPS in Tshwane, it was established that most of these crimes alleged to have taken place are not brought to the attention of police, and few were reported.”
She said the police deployed maximum resources at identified hotspots on the R80.
Thine said police would not rest until the suspects were brought to book. Community members have been urged to immediately report any information on those involved in committing robberies.
Tienie Voster of the Amandasig Action Group and the Akasia Community Policing Forum said the crimes had indeed resurfaced.
Vorster said the criminals moved away from the mountains to catch people trying to board taxis and those crossing the highway to go to Wonderpark Shopping Centre.
“In the past, people used to think all the criminals were hiding in the informal settlement that was closer to the area. However, the informal settlement has moved near Bundu Inn Resort and the crimes are still happening.
“We also have a problem of teenagers who sit in the parks and drink until late at night. Then there are robberies there.
“We caught some recently and called their parents, who were so disappointed because they did not know their children were there.”
Pretoria News