The Free State police have had their efforts maximised to ensure public safety and continue the fight against crime this festive season, and beyond, with a fleet of 24 new vehicles.
These were unveiled during the province’s festive season safety campaign launch at the Mangaung outdoor sports complex in Bloemfontein on Friday, 8 November.
Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane, provincial commissioner of the police, said the law enforcement agents will spare not a single criminal. She said the fleet of police vehicles were very important in ensuring police visibility, permitting frequent patrolling on highways, and available use by community policing forums against rampant crime in the province. These endeavours are part of the police’s campaign in having the public join them in combatting crime.
“We urge all members of the public to remain active partners in safety. Together with our stakeholders, we are strengthening our collaborations with neighbourhood watches, business forums, and community policing forums,” said Motswenyane.
She pointed out that the public’s actions against crime has yielded the arrest of the two brazen robbers of a fourth-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) student of the University of the Free State (UFS) on Sunday, 3 November.
Motswenyane added that law enforcement’s focus will be on priority crimes such armed robberies ranging from cash-in-transit heists to business robberies, vehicle theft, gender-based violence (GBV), and substance abuse since, according to her, there is an increase in these types of crimes during the festive season.
“We will be swift and strategic during operations this festive season, ensuring resources are allocated where they will have an impact in fighting crime. As members of the police, we pledge to continue providing compassionate and professional service to victims of crimes. We are going to act against the rape of women and children, with the reassurance that the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is working with the police in such serious cases.
“Together, let us make this festive season a time of peace and joy for all of us, where citizens feel safe and protected. Together, we can combat crime through the police’s decisive action and robust community involvement,” said Motswenyane.
According crime statistics, covering April to June 2024 and released by Jabu Mbalula, MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport and acting Free State premier, types of contact crimes (crime against persons) in the province continue increasing during the period in question. Contact crimes include murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery and common robbery, common assault, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The period in question saw 613 rape cases reported, accounting for 2,9% of all crimes; robbery with aggravating circumstances cases stood at 9 547, accounting for 8,4%; and cases of GBH stood at 2 823, accounting for 9,0% of all reported crimes.
Overall, crimes against persons increased to 8,4%.
