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Comments
& Reports <From 1st September 2008>
Welcome to Westbeat - The Westville CPF Web
site's News page.
Your report back pages where you may pass on your good news and your bad news about crime in the Westville
CPF area. Your experience will be a warning to others, We welcome your participation. Please include any relevant photo's of collateral damage to your property or your vehicle. Report locations of danger and hijacking. Window smash and grab etc.
The whole reason for these web pages is to alert you to the current dangers and to examine your own security set up. Others will benefit from your experience. Prevention will be cheaper in the long run.
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< From May 2011 to now> <current> ForARCHIVES please see the links at bottom of this page
News release
- 09 December 2011 Banana City Event
For over a decade, the Westville SAPS has built up a healthy working relationship with the residents of Banana City, a small informal settlement on the grounds of the UKZN Westville Campus. Regularly the SAPS members collect gifts of food and clothing to help uplift the community there. For Christmas this year it was decided to pull in all resources to make a fun and meaningful event for them, especially the children.
Early in the year, Social Crime Prevention officer, Sgt Stephen Clark put out the appeal to the Westville community to do something good for the residents for Christmas. He emphasised that they were good people who were in a hard way and deserved the efforts of the Westville community and CPF to help give them a bit of a boost.
The "City" has crčche which looks after many children, from 6 months old to 10 years old, as their parents go out to work or seek work every day. These young ones are in desperate need of good meals and warm clothing. An ex-Westville resident,
Mrs. Coleen Sharp helped kick the ball off when she approached the Westville Station and offered to knit jerseys, scarves, beanies and other items for the poor. An appeal for wool to be donated was sent out to the community via the Community Policing Forum and in short order,
Mrs. Sharp had knitted over a hundred Christmas Stockings and a few boxes of clothing and toys. The next order was to fill the stockings. The SAPS had a complete name list of all the children at Banana City so it was decided to make it very personal and provide each child a gift. Jenny Kruger, Eileen Peetz and Debbie Harvey came to the rescue. Jenny sewed up each child a set of clothing according to their age and gender. Boys got shorts and t-shirt, girls a little frock and smaller ones, a baby grow. Each package named. Eileen and Debbie, through their company, donated toys and sweets to go in each stocking. In all, nearly 100 clothing and gift packs were donated and sorted so that each child had their own, named present.
An anonymous donor dropped off an envelope, in it a few hundred Rend, with CPF Chair Kevin Harvey, to be used on the City. With it the CPF purchased hot dogs, rolls, chips and cool drinks. The total came to a bit more than the cash in hand, but Westville Superspar didn't mind and donated the extra needed.
Julian Carter offered to be Father Christmas for the day and on Tuesday 6 December was carried via Police car with all the toys and food to Banana City where the children were patiently waiting in the warm sun.
It must be noted that the kids were extremely well behaved. Each came forward when their name was called and received their gifts. When the food was dished up, even the smallest found a spot to sit, plate on lap, and enjoyed the lunch.
There was something for the adults too. A few months back, Westville Station Commander, Colonel Ellen Emmanuel received a donation of dozens of boxes of new shoes for men and women. The SAPS had brought these along to the party too, so while the kids were snacking, the adults chose and tried on some new footwear.
There was still some knitted goods left over. These were given to some older children who had been brought into the party, and were gratefully accepted.
This is not the end. Even after the event, donations of soft toys
and teddies, books and clothes are still streaming in to the Police Station to be given out the people of Banana City. Sgt Clark grumbles that his office looks more like Father Christmas' workshop every day.
Key to photos:
From L to R
TOP
1. Santa Julian with a girl on his knee. From L T0 R: Capt Sanette Buckthorpe,
Mrs. Nalene Kruger, Colonel Ellen Emmanuel
2. Santa Julian with a boy on his knee. From L T0 R Julian Carter, Colonel Emmanuel, Capt Abigail Dlamini
3. A little girl brings her baby sister up to Santa Julian. Both got gifts. Other children wait patiently, very well behaved
MIDDLE
4. Kelly Harvey doesn't want to see another hot dog for many years!
5. Santa Julian waves for the camera.
6. Ladies working feverishly to prepare food. From L T0 R Colonel Emmanuel,
Mrs. Cheryl Robertson, Kelly Harvey, Mrs Debbie Harvey.
7. A happy little boy gets his gifts.
BOTTOM
8. Children wait very well behaved for their name to be called.
9. Santa Julian awaits his next customer. From L T0 R Mrs. Nalene Kruger, Capt Abigail Dlamini, Capt Rita Charles, Colonel Emmanuel,
Mr. Andy Tribe.
10.Ladies making food. In the background, the crčche of Banana City.
................................
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention
Firearm
Competency Certificates and Licences available for Westville
applicants - 21 November 2011
The Central Firearm Registry has been churning out Competency Certificates and Firearm Licences at a good rate lately. W/O Gary Govender is trying to locate all the applicants who have been waiting for them. Some however have been difficult to trace as telephone numbers etc have changed. If you are awaiting a licence and applied through W/O Govender, at SAPS Westville, please come in to check if yours is here, or call his office on 031-26 77 373
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
The Henry Ford Attitude: Wayne, Garway Auto Services
- 11 November 2011
Henry Ford once said, “Don’t find fault; find remedy.” Five words from a business icon that knows what it means to be a success. I cannot imagine that Henry became what he was because he was bitter and negative towards every problem that came his way. He saw each as a challenge, something that could be overcome through a bit of thought, counsel and lateral thinking. But above all, overcome by positive thinking and knowing that there is a favorable result to be gained. He didn’t say “look for remedy” he said “find” it. Looking for it means you could spend the rest of your life, non-committal, doggy paddling in circles and making excuses. The word ‘find’ means that you are committed to a finite, measureable result.
It is often easy for us to simply find the fault. Something isn’t working so we say it’s broken or someone isn’t pulling their weight or we don’t have the recourses. Pointing a finger is not wise as on your own hand there are three more pointing back at you. Besides, what we might say is the fault might not be the actual problem at all.
My bike wouldn’t start. I blamed a flat battery. So I charged it and it started but was flat again. I blamed the bike for drawing too much power or a fault in the electrics having a circuit closed that ran down the power. Out of desperation, on the verge of buying another battery for R800 or dragging the bike to a mechanic, I got hold of a friend of mine who knows a bit more than me about these things. The first act he did was checking the battery water. Dry as a bone. See I had the right idea that the fault lay in the battery not holding charge. But that got me not one degree closer to getting my bike started. Actually finding the cause and doing the correct thing not only saved me unnecessary expenses, but I learned a basic lesson I should have known. Find the remedy.
The philosophy stays the same in all circumstances, no matter your position in the equation. Essentially there are two types of people in this realm. You have the complainers and the fixers. I’ll not so happily admit I sometimes fall into the former, mostly because like with my bike, I’m completely mechanically illiterate. A complete embarrassment for the male sex. But what is my remedy? Instead of stamping my foot like a spoilt child, I find remedy. I know people who can help with a particular problem, seek their assistance, actually participate in the work and ultimately solve the problem. Why is it so important to participate? Well it’s easy, but expensive to let someone else do it, but if I do a part of it I have learned a new skill. I have taught myself something and grown in the process.
In line with the first quote comes the meat of this story. One challenge we face in the SAPS is the never ending need to service and repair vehicles. Unlike a private parson’s car, a police vehicle is driven upwards of 20 hours a day, seven days a week. The engine barely cools before the next driver hops in for his shift. Work out for yourself what sort of mileage an average van does in a month if it covers 3 to 400 km in two 12 hour shifts every day. Remember this applies to most stations in the country. As there are a limited number of mechanics at the State garage, our vehicles can wait weeks for attention. Then there could be the wait for parts to be ordered and delivered and then the work itself could be time consuming.
When service delivery, let alone catching criminals in a wide area like Westville relies on mechanical transport, every set of four wheels count. It was quite a serious issue then, when the Ford Focus, our Crime Prevention uses for pursuit or speeding to progress complaints, packed up. The State garage told us straight we would be waiting a long time, since it had only recently come out from them off an unrelated issue.
Enter Wayne at Garway Auto Services cc in Pinetown. Very luckily, one of our CP members, Cst Phil Easterbrook is a long-time friend of Wayne’s. Without hesitation, Wayne took in the Ford, located the problem and repaired it. No questions, no quotes, no asking who is going to pay. He just wanted to do what it took to get the Police car back on the road. After changing the starter motor and doing other electrical odds and ends the cost crept up to R10 000! The same day it went in, the Ford was ready and when Cst Easterbrook collected it he was presented with a Tax invoice bearing the words, “No Charge.”
See it is one thing to stand, raise your voice and point fingers. It’s another altogether to find who can actually solve the problem. Also, it’s a completely different attitude and approach to actually want to remedy a situation. Wayne could have been a person who complained that the Police aren’t visible and they keep breaking their cars, or, he could have done what he did.
There’s great magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation go out to Wayne and his team for their support, kindness and friendship to the Westville SAPS.
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications, Social Crime Prevention
Crime
Hotspots - 2 November 2011
Morning all
The following list is of Housebreaking hot spots in the Westville area from October 2011. This list has been drawn from the frequency of case dockets opened and investigated.
Berea West: Baden rd, Barham rd, Beverly rd, Constance Cawston rd, Harrison rd and Rockdale ave.
Dawncliffe: Hillside and Maryvale rds.
Westville North: Campbell and Methven rds
There has been a frequency of late for suspects to break into or enter unlocked garages and either steal from therein or gain entry to homes via interleading doors. Community members are urged to make sure that ALL entry points to the house are properly secured. Not many people have thought of reinforcing the door or putting a security gate on the interleading door from a garage. Consider it and ensure you have an alarm sensor in the garage as well.
Suspects are still forcing entry through security gates that have inaduquate locks or weak locks. It is no good having an expensive gate if you have a cheap padlock.
Copper pipe theft is also problematic. This is often occurring at houses where there are either no dogs, no perimeter beams, the house is vacant or where residents have fixed routines.
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 1:55 PM, Stephen Clark <grendel35@gmail.com> wrote: New SAPS National Commissioner, Lt Gen N.S. Mkhwanazi.
The following is an edited version of the media briefing given in Pretoria on 27th October 2011
(The omissions are not for any nefarious purposes, merely which they do not apply to my scope of operations. The omissions do not change the message in any way)
Members of the media I preside over this briefing this afternoon having finished just over 72 hours as Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS… I must however reiterate the fact that I am not a man of many words, I am not even familiar with the media environment, but what I know best is fighting crime.
During my tenure as Acting Nas Comm I will ensure that the foundation that has been laid by General Beki Cele is reinforced and taken forward. No one can dispute the fact that General Cele made a significant impact and change in ensuring that we squeeze the space for criminals to zero through resources and human capital investment.
The President of the RSA… has entrusted myself and the SAPS top management with the responsibility to lead over 200 000 members of the organization. My job is to steer the ship to the direction that has been set…
It is a fact that the SAPS has been transformed tremendously in the past two years, I stand in this podium today with the aim of reassuring South Africans that the fight against crime continues.
The public’s levels of trust in SAPS officials continues to rise. As management we would like to assure members of the SAPS that the fight against crime will not be compromised. We urge our members not to be derailed but rather to reinforce their commitment in delivering our fundamental mandate of serving and protecting fellow South Africans.
We owe this to the women and children who are victims of rape, domestic violence and sexual offences, those who have regained their hope with the re-establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. (FCS)…
… As a matter of fact, let me take this opportunity to warn the criminals out there, that they will not enjoy Diwali, Christmas, New Year or even Easter in this country. SAPS members will continue to carry their duties with excellence and vigour and meet fire with fire in the fight against criminals…
… I have been an operational member all my life and my core mandate is to fight crime. I would like to invite the media fraternity to join in the fight against crime and stop criticizing. You can only claim to know something when you are a part of it and not a spectator. It is about time the media takes its rightful place in society by contributing positively in the fight against crime…
… As we carry out our duties, we are driven by the priorities we have set for ourselves as the organization;
to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property and uphold and enforce the Law. (emphasis added)
Thus far, a lot has been achieved however a lot still need to be done. Our driving force is to remain effective, efficient and consistent in turning the SAPS into a center for excellence and organization of choice.
The SAPS that we have today is staffed by officers who put their lives at risk each time they leave home to go to work. These heroes and heroines willingly put their lives on the line in an attempt to ensure that ordinary South Africans do not become victim of yet another senseless violent crime. Hence I repeat police will meet fire with fire in the fight against crime.
Again I would like to express my appreciation to all members of the SAPS who diligently go about working together to make our communities safe and having them feel safe.
I thank you!
List of Qualifications of Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Sibusiso Mkhwanazi
National Diploma and B.Tech Degree in Policing
Executive Development Program, Station Management Learning Program- 2006
Operational Commanders Training- 2003
Supervisors role in Counterterrorism: US FBI- 2003
Officers Program- 2003
Crisis response Team Training: Louisiana State University, USA- 2001
Bomb Disposal- 2000
Development Program for High Performance- 1999
Class 4 Emergency Diving- 1999
Special Task Force Operators training- 1998
Public Order Police Operations- 1997 The Lt. General was appointed as head of the SAPS Special Task Force in 2005. This position entailed:
The counteracting of volatile hostage situations on Land, Sea and Air.
Providing of specialized high risk operational policing support in counteracting high profile contact crimes.
Protection duties as well as serving of high risk warrants.
The performance of specialized search and recovery operations. He was appointed as Component Head: specialized Operations on 1 May 2011. These duties included:
Managing the Air Wing.
All specialized operations.
Public Order Policing.
Tactical response Team. (TRT)
National Intervention Unit. (NIU)
Special Task Force. (STF)
The Tracking Team.
Mobile Operations and
Cross Border Operations.
-------------------------------
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Muzzle
Loading Firearms 18 October 2011
Certain sections of the Firearms
Control Amendment Act, 2006 came into effect on 10 January 2011,
and relate to the owners of muzzle-loading (antique) firearms.
There is now a legislated definition for a muzzle-loader and, most
importantly, owners of muzzle-loaders are required to apply for a
competency certificate BEFORE 9 January 2012. As long as the
application for competency has been lodged before the deadline,
the ownership of the muzzle-loading firearms remains legal while
the application is in process. For those who do not apply before
the deadline the penalty is imprisonment for a maximum period of
15 years. Please note that only a competency certificate is
required, not a firearm licence.
A muzzle-loader is now defined as:
A barreled device that can fire only a single shot, per barrel,
and requires after each shot fired the individual reloading
through the muzzle end of the barrel with separate components
consisting of a –
(i) measured charge of black powder or equivalent propellant;
(ii) wad; and
(iii) lead bullet, sabot or shot functioning as a projectile, and
ignited with a flint, match, wheel or percussion cap.
TO APPLY FOR COMPETENCY FOR A MUZZLE-LOADER:
1. TRAINING
Unit Standard No. 243200 “Handle and Use a Muzzle-Loading
Firearm” is required.
1. You need to successfully complete the test with an SAPS
accredited Training Provider in order to qualify for a Proficiency
Certificate.
2. Select an accredited and conveniently located training
provider. See the list on the SAPS website at www.saps.gov.za
or ask your nearest firearm dealer or Designated Firearms Officer.
The prices charged by training providers will vary so it may pay
you to shop around.
4. Once you pass the test, the training provider will issue you
with a Proficiency Certificate and will send your details to
SASSETA.
2. COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
1. Obtain form SAPS 517 “Application for a Competency
Certificate” from your nearest Designated Firearms Officer (DFO)
or from the SAPS website.
2. Complete the form in black ink and prepare the following for
submission:
· A certified copy of the page in your ID book with your photo
· Two recent colour photos (passport size) – full head, face
and shoulders against a neutral background
· A certified copy of your Proficiency Certificate from the
Training Provider
· A certified copy of proof of your permanent residential address
3. Go to your local DFO to lodge the application. He/she will take
two full sets of your fingerprints.
4. The DFO will check the form. If not fully complete, you will be
told what is still needed.
5. You will then pay R70.00, by cash or bank guaranteed cheque,
for the application for a competency certificate. The proof of
payment will be certified and attached to your form.
6. You will be issued with an acknowledgement of receipt SAPS 523
to retain.
If your application is granted the competency certificate will be
valid for a period of ten (10) years, unless there is a change of
circumstances.
Appeal
If your application for competency is refused, you or your legal
representative can appeal the refusal on form SAPS 530 “Notice
of Appeal” within 90 days of the date on the refusal.
Contact information: Appeals Board, Private Bag X811, Pretoria,
0001 Tel (012) 353-6308 / 353-6309 or fax (012) 353-6211
Issued: 18 October 2011 at 10:45
--
Issued by: The SAGA Office tel +27
31 5629951 fax: +27
86 5539615
For Legal requirements our physical address is given - NOT for
mail
Tandjo Centre, 4 Joseph Ave, Glen Anil, KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa.
Who
knows how this incident will pan out. No crime though it is
appropriate that the police respond with a gut feel that only
comes from years of experience. - 6
October 2011
An interesting thing happened yesterday. Firstly it was a Wednesday. I have never trusted Wednesdays. They can’t make up their minds which side of a weekend they’re on. Second, we actually got a nice piece of information to look into.
The info came via Crime Intelligence. Their informer had said that there was a suspect who had been seen taking photos of houses in the area and thought this deserved looking into. Taking photos of things is not a crime, unless photography in a particular area is expressly forbidden, so it is a bit difficult to stop a person, in public, from taking pictures. The informant said that the guy also carried a laptop and was downloading the pictures on to it. I went to the spot with CI agents and luckily, the suspect was where the informant said he was, and we found him reading a paper, no camera or laptop in sight. He gave us his name, but could not produce identity. He claimed he was working as a landscaper, in a white shirt, nice jeans and slip on leather shoes… No, not today. Today he was waiting for the guy he was working for to pay him.
I left the agent to talk to him and noted that the property he was standing outside of was still under development. I called the number on the “For Sale” sign and spoke to a very kind lady who sent me the number of the developer. After several tries to them, I spoke to a manager who gave me the name of their employee who does landscaping. It wasn’t our suspect, but the guy who our suspect allegedly works for. In good timing, a bakkie rolled up and it was the developer’s landscaper. I pulled him to one side and asked him about the suspect. He said he had hired the man, with permission, as temporary labor. I asked him about the laptop and camera and he said he saw the suspect taking photos of unoccupied houses in the development. When asked what it was for, he was told for a “before and after” album. Before and after what, I wondered. I asked the landscaper about his surname. It turned out, he is a relation to a Brigadier I knew some time back, so that sealed matters for me that he was on the level. If you knew who I was talking about, you would agree. This Officer dragged his own son by the ear into the Police Station once.
Still, there was nothing criminal that had taken place, the developer was legit and the landscaper was legit. The prickling on the back of my neck was the original suspect. But again, he had not done anything criminally wrong except have my eighth sense running wild. I decided to leave him in one piece and seeing he liked photos, I took one of him. Circulate it to friends and family as a “suspicious person”.
The suspect gave his name as Bethwell Siphia, we also got the name Percy, somewhere.
Age, about mid to late twenties, quite a bit under 6 ft tall and slender. His eyes are hollow and he has short black hair.
If you see him, don’t be afraid to ask him what he’s up to. If you are not satisfied with the answer, call the Police to check him out. If he’s up to no good, he won’t like the attention and will go somewhere else.
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Fraudulent
suggestion of the death of your domestic worker. - 26
September 2011
Morning all
We have received several reports of people in the community being
contacted by persons alleging to be relatives of a domestic worker employed by those people and report that the domestic has passed away. They require money to either bring the body home or to help the family in another way.
Some of us have very close relationships with our domestics as they have in some cases worked and lived together for generations. (It is a uniquely wonderful Southern African phenomenon that my father may have employed the father of my employee.) Thus, when we hear this sort of tragic news, we may be forgiven when we just send the money before thinking.
However, criminals often target the soft hearted and generous. Don't
read that as "weak" but know you have been recognised, even by crooks, as a kind person. My advice to help prevent you being a victim in this case is two fold. Firstly, talk about this to your domestic workers. If they have your phone number, tell them that only trusted family may have access to that number. Then you keep some numbers of those family members too. So secondly, if you are approached by someone reporting news about your employee, you can phone a close family member to check if it is true. Also, you can find out by a few simple questions from the caller if they really know your employee. What is her surname? What are her
children's names?
Talk to your employees about death benefits and policies they may have. Encourage them to keep the documents in a safe place, but somewhere they can be accessed in case of actual death or disability. Our domestic workers already are part of our homes and our lives. Lets be part of theirs too so we can cohabitate and communicate freely and without any mistrust or reservation.
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Below in bold letters is an e-mail doing the rounds.
- 21 September 2011
"
You can quote me on this.
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communcations
031-2677351
THIS MESSAGE IS FOR EVERY MAN, BOY, WOMEN, OR GIRL WHO GOES TO WORK, COLLEGE OR SCHOOL ALONE. IF YOU FIND A CHILD CRYING ON THE ROAD SHOWING HIS/HER Address AND ASKING YOU TO TAKE HIM/HER TO THE Address , IMMEDIATELY TAKE THAT CHILD TO THE POLICE STATION AND PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE CHILD TO THE PLACE HE/SHE ASKS. THIS A NEW WAY TO GANG RAPE WOMEN AND GIRLS, ROB AND KILL MEN AND BOYS.
PLEASE ALSO DO NOT ACCEPT FREE KEY HOLDERS AT SERVICE STATIONS IT HAS A TRACKER DEVICE IN IT BY WHICH YOU CAN BE FOLLOWED. THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING IN JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN. PLEASE SEND TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
COL MK KRUGER
CRIME INTELLIGENCE
012 360 1058
Kommissar
S.X.-07
Recovered
property. - September 2011
Westville SAPS have been hard at work arresting criminals and recovering property.
We need you to help identify items that have been recovered, to return them to you and secure the case in court. Even if you have been paid out by insurance for the item, it is crucial in the chain of evidence for you to positively identify what was yours.
Hereunder is a list of items and the first three digits of the serial number (SN). The items were recovered on the 24th and 25th August. Please bring some proof of ownership and your case number to claim your items.
DVD Player SN: 809/...
680...
100...
Amplifier SN: C20...
Sub Woofer
TV SN: KLX/...
1233...
Amplifier SN: 19s...
2x Speakers
Blackberry Curve SN: 358...
Nokia 1600 SN: 355
Nokia 6210 Navigator SN: 354...
Nokia N90 SN: 356...
Nokia 6120 c SN 356...
4x wrist watches
"gold" bracelet
Samsung phone charger
Sony PSP
Silver Ipod.
Enquiries can be made through the detective in your case, the Branch Commander D/Major Majola, D/Capts Mwelase, Nxumalo, Buckthorpe, Madhan or Magwaza on
Tel: 031-2677344/ 7357 or W/O van Staden on 031-2677349. If you are unable to contact ANY of them, call the Westville Charge Office on 031-2677340/4/5/6/7 and ask them to take a message or redirect your call.
Regards
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
--
Kommissar
S.X.-07
Members of SAPS Westville Task Team swiftly closed a case of House Robbery
today. (19-09-2011)
A 60 year old woman was held up in her home allegedly by a man she knew and another. They physically pushed her around, tied her up in the bath and ransacked the house of computer and audio equipment and clothing. They loaded the items into the victim's car and made good their escape. It was only after an hour that the victim managed to free herself
and raise the
alarm. Westville SAPS uniform and Detectives rushed to the scene to assist. A
counselor from Safetynet was also summoned to lend support for the victim.
Within hours, about lunch time, the Westville Task Team, with assistance from the
Durban Flying Squad, traced the employee to Cleremont and from there, his accomplice who was storing the stolen goods as well as the car, a white Ford Fiesta. All the property stolen earlier was recovered and will be handed back to the victim. In fact, she was still receiving
counseling when she found out that the arrests had been made and the suspects arrested.
The Westville Station Commander, Colonel Ellen Emmanual said she was extremely pleased with the swift result.
(Pictured: the arresting officers with the property, standing in front of the recovered car.)
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Another
positive and significant event.- 17
September 2011
This afternoon (Friday) the SAPS Pinetown Cluster Task Team made a breakthrough arrest of two suspets wanted for Carjacking. The suspects were driving a white VW Polo, were spotted and arrested in Westville. The suspects are very possibly linked to carjackings in
Bellair, Sydenham and the Pinetown cluster area. They will be charged and appear in Pinetown court on Monday.
Well done to those members involved.
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Stolen
property not claimed. - 12 September
2011 We are trying to clear out our exhibit register and are giving community members a last chance to claim stolen property before it is forfeited to the State or destroyed.
The following list was recovered in 2007 (yes I know!) and anybody who may wish to identify their property can contact Warrant Officer A. Van Staden at the Westville SAPS, on 031-2677340/1/4/6 during office hours to make an arrangement to view the items. The cut off date is 30 September, after which the items wil be disposed of.
Hereunder is the list for your information.
Best regards
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
SAP13/1003/2007
Exhibits recovered to be identified.
2. Two Technics three-way hifi speakers, black in colour.
4. One Samsung home theatre sub woofer silver in colour.
5. One LG Stylish sound speaker, silver in colour.
7. One Sony hifi speaker, silver in colour.
8. One Sharp microwave oven, white in colour.
9. One LG microwave grill oven, silver in colour.
10. Three Technics speakers system, silver and black in colour.
11. One LG VCR, silver in colour.
13. One LG Stylish hifi system, silver in colour.
14. One Sony Playstation 2 and controller, black in colour.
16. One Sony DVD player, silver in colour.
17. One Sony DVD player, silver in colour.
18. One Sony STR DE698 amplifier, silver in colour.
19. One Yamaha RX D390 amplifier, silver in colour.
21. One Wharfdale flat screen TV Hd MI, black and silver in colour.
22. One Samsung Plasma display TV, silver in colour.
24. One LG Plasma TV, silver in colour.
26. One Bregant coffee machine, black and silver in colour.
27. One Mecer laptop computer, silver in colour with black case.
28. One Captain outdoor chair, blue in colour.
29. One Campmaster, green in colour.
30. One DVD remote, white in colour.
31. One Panasonic DVD remote, grey in colour.
32. One LG DVD remote, silver and grey in colour.
33. One Samsung DVD remote, grey in colour.
34. One DVD/VCR remote, grey in colour.
35. One Technics remote, black in colour.
36. One Samsung DVD remote, silver in colour.
37. One Sony DVD remote, dark grey in colour.
38 One Sony AV system RM-AAP001 remote, silver in colour.
39. One Sony DVD player RMT-D17SP remote, silver and grey in colour.
39a. One Hitachi Fujian remote, black in colour.
40. One LG TV remote, black in colour.
41. One Samsung DVD remote, silver in colour.
43. One URC-7740 Universal remote, silver in colour.
44. One LG TV remote, silver and grey in colour.
ENDS...
News
release: - 11 August 2011
This morning at approximately 10:00 a pedestrian was held up at gunpoint in the Westville North area. She was able to give an accurate description to the SAPS and Westville Police began conducting follow up operations in the area. This afternoon just after 3pm, their diligence and dedication bore fruit when Constables Kathi and Khuzwayo spotted a suspect matching the exact description of the morning's robbery in the same area. He attempted to flee but was arrested in possession of a pistol and ammunition. He will be charged with Armed Robbery, Unlawful possession of a Firearm and Unlawful possession of ammunition. The suspect will appear in court once he has been charged by detectives. Excellent work by the two Police officials.
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
News Release -
8 August 2011
Over the past week and weekend, SAPS Westville detectives have been hard at work investigating criminal cases and doing the necessary presentation of evidence in Court.
D/Cst P.Mlambo secured two convictions of housebreakers and D/Cst MM.Zulu hit the jackpot by putting a house robber behind bars for an effective eight years. Brilliant work, gentlemen. For information, house robbery differs from breaking as it is when armed suspects enter the home and hold up the occupants. A very traumatic experience!
On Friday 5 August, D/Capt Mwelase conducted suspect raids and netted a further 7 arrests for various offences.
Good work all round
SD Clark
Sergeant
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention
Please
learn from this unfortunate incident. - 1
August 2011
There have been several crimes committed of late that are a concern to the
SAPF. Over the weekend, a house robbery took place in Westville north where the suspects in a vehicle rang the intercom and the homeowner opened the gate without even asking who it was. At least five suspects held up the family with knives and ransacked the house, forcing the owner to reveal the location of the safe.
The complainant reported that they thought it was a friend coming to visit. I really do not like to blame the victim, but this is a clear case of a crime that could have been prevented if the homeowner was a bit more "switched on". Even if you are expecting someone to visit you, complacency is very likely to be the greatest threat to your safety.
Please lets learn from this unfortunate experience, it is not just a crime statistic, people including a small child were traumatised. Lets not let anything like this happen again.
Cst SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention
Thanks
to Network Configurations
from Const. S Clark and the Westville CPF -
27 July 2011 For the second time I had a laptop crash. I was flapping big style because all I could get was the
"blue screen of death". In the words of one technician at Network Configurations, I was up a certain creek without a paddle, but promised to do his best. Iain Emerson came to my rescue for the second time in seven months, happily took the sponsored laptop in and deep in the computer dungeons where black magic is the norm (to a techno fool like me) his wizards spun their spells and they soon told me that they had managed to save all my precious photos, documents and even the last three years CPF minutes. The laptop needed a new Hard Drive. Shame, I think the last one passed away from stress due to the ugly things I write. Being a Policeman's computer is not a job for a floppy disk,
that's for sure. A week later I was back in action and as promised, everything was restored to normal.
Again, I wasn't storming around like a Rhino with gout and it was safe to ask me to type articles again without ducking flying sharp objects.
A massive thank you to Iain, Delray, Moosa and the whole team at Network Configurations for their excellent service and backup.
Cst SD Clark
Is
Pointing a Firearm an Offence? - 1June
2011
A “Volksblad” report dated 29 May 2011, notes that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has confirmed that the state does not have to prove that a pointed firearm was cocked or even loaded for it to be a crime. The state is also not required to prove that the bullet from the firearm would have hit the subject if a shot had been fired. Three judges held that the wide interpretation of the word ‘point’ was in line with the legislature’s intention to protect the public against the dangers of the handling and use of firearms. The judges noted that there had been confusion about the interpretation of the word, due to conflicting judgments by different High Courts. They ruled the mere pointing of a firearm at somebody else constituted a crime. The SCA dismissed the appeal by Mandla Xabendlini, who had been found guilty of pointing his firearm at two police officials during a chase in Cape Town.
This judgment is applicable to all firearm owners. The relevant legislation is worded as follows:
Firearms Control Act, Chapter 16, Section 120 (6)
(6) It is an offence to point—
(a) any firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun, whether or not it is loaded or capable of being discharged, at any other person, without good reason to do so; or
(b) anything which is likely to lead a person to believe that it is a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun at any other person, without good reason to do so.
The penalty applicable to this section is ten years imprisonment.
A link to read the article that was
first published by "manMAGNUM" in August 2001in a SAGA
newsletter with permission from "manMAGNUM" - http://www.saga.org.za/reasonable
force.pdf Info sourced by Cst S D Clark
House
Robbery and
Conviction
- 24
May 2011 Some
people think that the chances of getting a criminal behind bars
for a good stretch is similar to the old question if 1000 monkeys
bashed away at typewriters for long enough one of them would
eventually print the complete works of William Shakespeare. Well I
thumb my nose at those pessimists due to the simple fact that if
you choose to, you will never find anything positive. The facts
are that there are a core group of policemen on your doorstep that
work tirelessly to keep you safe and help punish criminals. You
don’t really need to look that hard to find them either.
In
August last year, Warrant Officer Jackson and Constable Thobakgale
arrested two house robbers due to their fast response and bravery
under mortal threat. Unless you have had a gun pointed or fired at
you, some of us don’t really know what that’s like. These two
actively pursued and counterattacked the very same violent
criminals and placed them under arrest.
Some
of the same pessimists will rant on about how “they will just
be let out on bail” not having a clue as to how a detective
fights in court to persuade the magistrate to keep the criminals
in custody before trial. Detective Constable Zulu of Westville
SAPS was this exact man. Not only did he successfully oppose bail,
he also made sure all the evidence against the two accused was
correctly and thoroughly presented in court. The two arresting
Officers also gave excellent testimony of their actions.
All
said and done, there was no Shakespeare written, but the
Magistrate did find the two guilty and sentenced them to effective
TEN years imprisonment each.
We welcome comments and
will publish those that are considered to be of general interest.
The info came via Crime Intelligence. Their informer had said that there was a suspect who had been seen taking photos of houses in the area and thought this deserved looking into. Taking photos of things is not a crime, unless photography in a particular area is expressly forbidden, so it is a bit difficult to stop a person, in public, from taking pictures. The informant said that the guy also carried a laptop and was downloading the pictures on to it. I went to the spot with CI agents and luckily, the suspect was where the informant said he was, and we found him reading a paper, no camera or laptop in sight. He gave us his name, but could not produce identity. He claimed he was working as a landscaper, in a white shirt, nice jeans and slip on leather shoes… No, not today. Today he was waiting for the guy he was working for to pay him.
