Gauteng minister for safety and security Khabisi Mosunkutu said crime was ‘terrorising†the community.
He said the department had noticed an increase in ‘organised brutal criminal activities especially related to truck and other vehicle hijackingsâ€.
Speaking in Johannesburg, where he briefed the media on the department’s priority crimes, he said: ‘We also know of organised criminals specialising in bank and business robberies.â€
Mosunkutu said his department would increase its material support for the recently initiated South African Police Services’ rapid response team.
‘With about 100 vehicles currently, we envisage increasing the number substantially. We also are contemplating increasing the number of cameras that complement the work of this unit substantially.â€
Mosunkutu referred to house robberies as a ‘terrorâ€.
‘Imagine when some criminals burst into your house as you sit and watch television and rob you and do all sorts of things to you. It unsettles the community.
”One victim is a victim and one victim implies that a whole community has been victimised.â€
Mosunkutu also warned criminals that they are signing their own ‘death sentence†when they raise a gun to a police officer.
‘The killing of policemen and women is something that the community must not tolerate— when an officer gives a command, it has to be obeyed.
”No pulling out of guns or knives and threatening police or bystanders [can be allowed].”
Mosunkutu said combating crime had always been in the African National Congress manifesto.
”We must deal with it in such a manner that when the dust settles our people feel very safe. Very, very safe,” he said.
”The battle must be very brief, but decisive, so that no criminal may feel safe in the country. We must extend the fight so they find it impossible not only to stay in Gauteng, but in the country.”
Mosunkutu also said the province would deal with ”a strange and weird crime that came to our shores”, namely building and property hijackers.
”These bandits illegally take over buildings from rightful owners and illegally charge tenants. We need to let them know that we know who some of them are and their days are also numbered,” he said.
”In routing them out and sending them to jail we shall ensure that innocent tenants are not affected.” — Sapa