With load shedding arriving back last week, so did cable thieves in Bonteheuwel.
In two separate incidents, one in Borriehout Street and one in Loganberry Street, both perpetrators were caught.
According to local ward councillor Angus McKenzie law enforcement was quickly deployed after an electricity sub-station was vandalised and cables cut.
“The individual, known to have stolen and vandalised a number of cables, was arrested and charged under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act. In Borriehout Street however the suspect was caught in the act by residents. They waited for the police to arrive and eventually took the suspect to Bishop Lavis police station. Police officials at the station refused to book the suspect,” says McKenzie.
McKenzie says residents in both these incidents must be applauded for standing up to gangsters and vandals.
“Our message is starting to resonate and bare fruit. The majority of Bonteheuwel residents, irrespective of the time, are standing up against these criminals and those that protect them irrespective of whether they are family or close friends. They are not taking the law into their own hands but rather protecting infrastructure, homes and fellow residents,” says McKenzie.
He says he took the matter up with the community policing forum chair Graham Lindhorst and they both agreed that this inconsistent service from the police does little to bolster the community’s new found effort in rooting out criminals and their protectors out of Bonteheuwel.
“Taking back our community and taking the law into our own hands is a very thin line, a line that the police must strengthen to avoid the very real threat of uprising brought on by high levels of community frustration. While I applaud the efforts of residents of Loganberry and Borriehout street, I implore the police to work with us, partner with us and be part of our collective solution in making Bonteheuwel a better place,” says McKenzie.
Sgt Samantha Adonis, police spokesperson for the Bishop’s Lavis police, says they are unaware of a suspect being brought into the station and not being booked, as alleged by McKenzie.
“I can confirm that someone was arrested that spesific evening, but nobody at the station is aware of anyone being showed the door. The police take these cases seriously and appreciate the community helping the police,” says Adonis.
