“I want to emphasise that fighting crime is everybody’s business, whether we like it or not.”
So said Colonel Gustav Tamboer, commander at the Hermanus Police Station.
He said this lies at the heart of an integrated approach to crime fighting, involving role-players such as local neighbourhood watches, Overstrand Law Enforcement and Traffic, private security companies, Community in Blue patrollers and other entities.
This collaboration has paid off, with more than 3 100 arrests for crimes such as common assault, murder and attempted murder.
“Our integrated approach, from the beginning of this financial year (especially the period 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024) resulted in huge successes, what with apprehensions and confiscations by different committed and dedicated stakeholders,” Tamboer pointed out.
“The stakeholders include our communities, security companies, Overstrand Municipality’s Law Enforcement and Traffic departments, Community in Blue patrollers, E2 group, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, CapeNature and other entities involved in the fight against crime.”
A total of 3 103 arrests were made in the period between 1 April and 30 September, said Tamboer. This includes five suspects arrested for murder, 10 for attempted murder, 10 on rape charges, eight for robberies with aggravating circumstances, 54 for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 70 for shoplifting.
These integrated operations among role-players also led to the arrest of 774 suspects for drug-related crimes, seven for illegal possession of firearms, 93 for possession of stolen property and 24 undocumented people (that is, foreigners in the country without the necessary legal documents).
The following goods were also confiscated: 9 kg of dagga, 279 Mandrax tablets, 154 g crystal meth (tik), 88 g of cocaine, 14 802 litres of liquor, 7 138 units of abalone and 1 440 units of West Coast Rock Lobster (crayfish).
“We can still achieve more if all, and I mean all of us, work together in the fight against crime. Better together!” Tamboer made it very clear.