Quick and Successful Recovery of Stolen Assets
Early Monday evening (17th August 2009) a family in Hillcrest was held up at gunpoint by at least two suspects. Property was taken and loaded into the family's white Toyota Conquest and it too was stolen. The quick response by Hillcrest SAPS enabled the description of the vehicle to be circulated on the SAPS radio. Inspectors David Bramley and Jerry Abraham of the Provincial Armed Robbery Task Team were on the N3 Durban bound when they heard the circulation. They decided to wait and see if the vehicle came past. Sure enough, at approximately 21:15, a vehicle matching that description sped past and the SAPS members gave chase. The registration number was confirmed to be that of the same one taken in the robbery.

At this time the suspects began weaving around the road and started shooting back at the Policemen. Criminals do not follow the same code of ethics as the SAPS and the members were unable to return fire straight away for fear of hitting innocent drivers sharing the road.
The suspect Conquest took the Westville off ramp and sped down to Spine rd past the Westville Hospital, still shooting back at the SAPS who doggedly stuck out the incoming fire. Past the hospital the road became clear and the SAPS members were able to return fire at the criminals.

The Conquest entered Chesterville Road 1 and then turned into road 8 where they lost control and crashed, all the time shooting at the SAPS vehicle. The two suspects fled the vehicle amid a hail of gunfire and managed to escape into the darkness. Several other vehicles by this time had traced the chase and began the search for the suspects, but to no avail.

The Conquest was however recovered along with several items including a laptop computer and several bottles of liquor. Fortunately the Policemen were unscathed in the exchange of fire. Fingerprints experts were called to the scene to lift prints in order to speed the tracing of the suspects. Superintendent Joseph of Hillcrest SAPS visited the scene and applauded the dedication and courage under fire displayed by the two police Inspectors. Investigations are on going.
    
Pictures: 6386/7, property recovered, 6368, back of the conquest, 6389 Suspect's own bullet strike on conquest.

Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
WCPF069

One of the historical landmarks on the Westville calendar, for more than a decade, is the Westville Fair. This year again, it was held in the usual place, the Scout Bowl in Westville Central. The Round Table did an excellent job of setting up and maintaining what was regarded by many of the visitors a complete success.

There was a wide variety of stalls ranging from games and rides for kids to clothing, crafts, toy and food stalls. Among the favorites with the children was, paintball range, the pony rides, the train ride, climbing wall, archery, zip line and the animal attraction provided by Fiona and Naomi of The Menagerie where children were taught respect and care for the animals. 

It was amazing to see the interest generated by the baby African Rock Python that tolerated manhandling on a non stop basis. A good few kids and a couple adults also tried their hand and subsequent sore backsides on the mechanical bull. A more important service than the on duty Paramedic was the Round Table manned Beer Tent who kept everybody well hydrated and refreshed. The Spotted Zebra supplied the hamburgers and wors rolls at the food tent and also had an endless stream of visitors exercising the eating muscle. 

The SANDF had an Army Rooikat armoured vehicle parked and had their hands full with prospective tank drivers clamoring all over and in it and the soldiers being diplomatic in making excuses why they couldn’t fire the 80mm gun in a built up area! 
 

The SAPS had a presence in the form of friendly foot patrols who, spent most of the time warding off children wanting to see their guns. An SAPS Provincial Security Service Dog Unit did a turn on Saturday. The pair or Inspectors walked around with their (people friendly) explosives trained Labradors and the SAPS Air Wing did a helicopter fly past. Hopefully in the future we will see more of them. 

The general mood of the fair was extremely high spirited and no negative incidents were reported. Both Saturday and Sunday sported good attendance from the community and most stall holders from the sweet shop to the art and craft vendors reported good sales. 

Another successful Westville Fair for 2009. Well done to the men and women of the Round Table and all the participants who made the two days most enjoyable for all.

Cst Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention.     
WCPF063

Received 2nd July 2009
July School Holidays Club
The Westville Baptist Church annually runs a holiday club for young people during the July school holidays.  

Children from grade 1 upwards are entertained and kept busy with all sorts of activities for a week. The Youth Pastor is Heather Neary (tel:031-2668830) and she co-ordinates the events and games which take place. It is a healthy, stimulating and entertaining way for young children to enjoy their holidays. Further information can be obtained via the Church office at the same number.

The purpose of the SAPS visit to the club daily is to bring a more friendly and approachable face of the Police to the children. This goes a long way to dispel fear and mistrust of the Police by the children.

Pictured from left to right is Youth Pastor Heather Neary, sisters Tea and Keilidh Clapperton (in pink) and Jaryd Venter. Of course the uniform is yours truly.

If you wish, please call the Church for more information.

Received  7th July 2009 
Press Release, Armed Robbery NWJ, Westwood

On 2009-07-06 at approximately 09:15, two black male suspects entered the Natal Wholesale Jewellers at the Westwood Shopping Centre in Westville.

One suspect produced a firearm and forced the two staff present into the back office. The supervisor was forced to hand over an undisclosed amount of cash and jewellery. During the robbery, the suspect dropped his firearm and it discharged. The bullet hit a sink and fortunately, nobody was injured by the shot. The suspects then fled with the stolen items.

The Business Robbery Task Team is investigating the matter.

New Postings to Westville SAPS
There have been a few new postings at Westville SAPS.  Inspectors Visser(Left) and Xulu(Right) who have nearly forty years policing experience between them are now the In Service Trainers at the station. They are busy instructing nine SAPS trainees through their final phase before becoming fully fledged policemen and women. Seven of these trainees will be staying at Westville, and we are confident that the experience carried by the two instructors will ensure the new members will be the hard working professional policemen we expect.

Cst Clark is the new face of communications and Social Crime Prevention at Westville. He has occupied various positions at Westville over the past ten years, starting as a reservist in Westville in 1999 and then joined permanent force, spending three years at SAPS Wentworth. He returned to Westville in 2005 and has worked in the CSC and Crime Prevention. He will now be liaising with schools, churches and businesses in the area including the Security Companies.

- posted 16th December 2008

  ACT : AGAINST CORRUPTION TOGETHER

 It is of great concern to management and loyal SAPS personnel members that there are SAPS employees who are involved in corrupt and criminal activities.  The SAPS is viewed by the public at large as being one of the most corrupt government departments.  This view by the public undermines the pride and professionalism of every single SAPS member.  As members of the SAPS, we have taken an oath to serve with pride, dignity and integrity.  This oath is supported by the SAPS Code of Conduct, the Values and the Code of Ethics.  This includes preventing, detecting and investigating crimes committed by criminals but also means that SAPS members cannot be involved in crime or corruption of any sort whatsoever.

 Corruption is the abuse of the power that has been entrusted to every member of the SAPS by the Government and the Community.  Corruption can be described as follows: Someone gives (or offers to give) someone in a position of power (such as a member of SAPS) something to use his or her power illegally and unfairly, to the advantage of the person making the offer or to anyone else.  A member of SAPS is also guilty of corruption if he or she offers to use his or her power illegally and unfairly, to the advantage of another the person.

 If you know of any member of the SAPS who is involved in any corrupt and criminal activity, including the following:

As a proud and professional member of SAPS you should report this to Public Service Commission’s National Anti-Corruption Hotline

0800 701 701

(Remember, you can remain anonymous and use your own language)

This is a toll-free number

Members of the Public can report Corruption in SAPS to the Public Service Commission’s Hotline or to Crime Stop at 08600 10111

Let’s make SAPS proudly professional, it starts with you!

ACT: AGAINST CORRUPTION TOGETHER

- Posted 3rd November 2008
Talk for pupils at Wendon Academy, Westville.
On Friday, 31 October 2008 Cst Stephen Clark of Westville SAPS presented two talks at Wendon Academy; a Special needs school in Westville North.

The talks were split between the senior primary and then the senior pupils and centred on the dangers of narcotic drug use and the consequences thereof.

Cst Clark encouraged feedback and interaction with the young people and the talk flowed between the light hearted and the serious factual information concerning drug and alcohol abuse.

Different drugs were described, their origins and use explained in depth and the side effects and dangers elaborated on. It was noted with approval that some of the children already appeared well informed as to dangers and the general moral fibre that the children possessed that has been ingrained from parenting and school was of an exceptionally high standard.

Further, a discussion was conducted around the internet, Facebook and MXIT. It was established that the pupils were au fait with these media and became engrossed in the discussion about possible hidden dangers that may affect the youth. The pupils were made aware that people they communicated with, unless they were known personally, might not be who they claim to be and the danger of pedophilia was a real one. Cst Clark expounded on drawing a moral line of what was acceptable and what was not. A demonstration was met with hilarity when one boy was instructed to undress. When he refused, the point was made that if it was not acceptable in the group, then it wasn’t acceptable over any media such as the internet. It was explained how that communication of obscene or gratuitous material to a minor was an offence in itself and it was important for the pupils to know when a moral and legal line was being crossed.  

The pupils were also told about help that was available to those who needed it and no child seeking help or advice would be turned away. They were however reminded of the legal and physical ramifications of drug use and possession through several real life examples that have occurred throughout Cst Clark’s career.