The alarming rise in business robbery across the Northern Cape is of great concern for the South African Policing Union (Sapu).
Over the past months community members of especially Kimberley and Kuruman have witnessed a distressing surge in criminal activities by criminals targeting business outlets, said Sapu Northern Cape in a recent press release.
The rise in business robberies has instilled fear within communities when they have to do their shopping, stated provincial spokesperson, Sabata Tshabedi.
Sapu calls upon Nomandla Bloem, MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, and Dr Zamani Saul, Northern Cape premier, to adopt and implement comprehensive strategies such as those in Gauteng of appointing crime prevention wardens.
Such strategies that work in collaboration with the police, community policing forums (CPF), and private security firms can ensure that provincial borders are closed for criminals, with the deployment of advanced surveillance and technology systems to aid swift identification and apprehension of perpetrators.
Criminal activities targeting businesses are causing significant financial losses and jeopardising the safety and job security of employees, as well as the economy of the Northern Cape.
Sapu calls on government to heed its clarion call for the re-establishment of specialised units to give undivided attention to specific organised crime, such as the disbanded Murder and Robbery Squad.
Sapu stated it stood committed to working with authorities, local businesses, and community organisations to address and fight crime, and to adopt a proactive approach in ensuring that the safety of communities is guaranteed.
The union calls on stronger sentences and stricter enforcement mechanisms that would not only act as a potential deterrent, but also ensure that criminals are brought to justice swiftly, sending a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated.
