- The Grassy Park policing precinct has seen a total of nine e-hailing drivers hijacked in October alone.
- The figures are the highest he has seen in a short period.
- The hijacked vehicles are, in some cases, used by gang members during shooting incidents.
A worrying rise of hijackings in the Grassy Park policing precinct has seen a total of nine e-hailing drivers hijacked in October alone.
According to Grassy Park Police Station Commander Col Dawood Laing, the figures are the highest he has seen in a short period.
“We are picking up a lot of hijackings of Uber drivers, delivery guys and Checkers Sixty60 delivery drivers.
“In October, there have been nine incidents which is totally out of control. We have recovered seven vehicles and made three arrests.”
The hijacked vehicles are, in some cases, used by gang members during shooting incidents, he adds.
“In certain instances, the vehicles are used for drive-by-shootings and then (they are) abandoned.”
Meanwhile, gang-on-gang violence has claimed the lives of five people in separate incidents earlier this month, says Laing.
“We had real conflict and multiple shootings that claimed the lives of five people, all the people who died were gang members.
“The violence has stabilised but we are sitting with a problem where community members do not want to cooperate in identifying the shooters. The incidents happened in broad daylight but nobody wants to come forward.”
Another issue, when it comes to arrests and convictions of perpetrators, is that convicted criminals are back on the streets in a few short years, says Laing.
“This month we had three murder convictions and of the three, one person was found guilty of murder. He received a sentence of 10 years in prison. In those 10 years he will sit in jail for three years and then is out on bail. The court must also play a role.
“In another conviction last week, the perpetrator was sentenced to 15 years which means he must stay in jail for at least seven years. If they want parole the victims of the families are also called in, so sentences of more than 15 years is more appropriate.”
Laing adds that in many cases witnesses were too afraid to come forward.
“If I have a profile for robbers, we know who they are, but if the complainant does not identify them and doesn’t want to go through the justice system it is a very big problem.
“The guys who rob on the street are the ones who rob every day. Tomorrow they can kill or stab a person. If you can identify them it stops them in their tracks.”
In order for perpetrators to be convicted it is important for witnesses to come forward to testify.
According to Laing, families can be placed in witness protection to safeguard them.
“In our murder investigations we have placed two families in witness protection.”
Meanwhile in Steenberg, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) commended community leaders for facilitating a cease fire between local gangs, the Mongrels and Fast Guns.
Steenberg CPF chair Gavin Walbrugh says a community-led initiative addressed immediate safety concerns with the upcoming final examinations for matriculants.
“We express our deep appreciation for the community leaders working collaboratively together with the CPF to achieve this agreement between rival gangs. They have worked tirelessly to create a platform for dialogue and understanding.
“Thanks to community leaders and church leaders for their invaluable contributions in shaping a peaceful resolution. While we acknowledge the announcement of the ceasefire, we remain vigilant and put our faith in accountability and honour the agreement.”
