MEC Shongwe commends police for recovery of vehicles

MEC Shongwe commends police for recovery of vehicles 

On Tuesday 21 October 2015, police have recovered two vehicles (Ford Focus ST and Audi A4), R5 rifle, 9mm pistol, explosives, blue light, balaclavas, hand gloves and registration plates during an operation at a house in Kabokweni.

The Ford Focus was reported to have been hijacked at Temba in Gauteng. A 25-year-old suspect has been taken in for questioning regarding this recovery.

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has praised the police saying such successes are restoring back community’s faith in police and also encouraging efforts by police aimed at fighting crime.

According to MEC Shongwe, these successes are possible with the participation of the community. He says that perpetrators of crime are members of communities and are known.

“It is our wish to finally live in an environment where community members take a stand and say no to crime by working hand in glove with the police to expose crime.

“That is why we always encourage community members to become police informers or participate in community policing programmes because the fight against crime can only be won through the involvement of communities,” says Shongwe.

He adds that the confiscated firearms may have been used to commit serious crimes and could have continued to be used to commit more crimes.

“I will continue to support police officers to promote hard work and commitment within the police force. Police officers need our support too, however; we will not tolerate corrupt and lazy officers in the system,” he adds.

Meanwhile, the MEC also applauded traffic officials in the department for arresting six motorists on 16 and 17 October 2015 who were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, exceeding the legal limit of 0,24 in the Gert Sibande Region.

Three motorists were arrested on the R543 Road (between Volkrust and Wakestroom). The first male driver was arrested at 20h50 with an alcohol limit of 0, 51 while the other two, female and male were arrested at 22h40 and 01h50 with an alcohol limit of 0, 95 and 0, 65 respectively.

On the same period on the N11 Road (between Amersfoort and Volkrust), another three drivers were arrested.  The first driver who is a male was arrested at about 21:55 with an alcohol limit of 0,29 while the other who is also a male was arrested at about 22:39 with an alcohol limit of 1,91.

In the early hours of October 17, 2015 at about 03:00, the third male driver was arrested with an alcohol limit of 1,93. All six drivers were granted a R1000 bail each on Monday 19 October 2015 at the Volkrust Magistrate Court.

MEC Shongwe says driving under the influence of alcohol was one of the most contributors to road crashes therefore such actions which portray recklessness should be dealt with harshly.

 “We must create an environment where motorists will fear to violate traffic regulations; in this way, we will have fewer crashes on our roads,” he said.

The MEC has once more reiterated his call to motorists to respect traffic rules and fellow road users. He still maintains that communities must also play their part by reporting bad driving to authorities so that action is taken against wrong doers.