With the festive season looming, criminal activities tend to increase at the same time. Incidents of petty theft and robbery seem to be happening more often as more people are out and about doing their festive season shopping.
The police are warning the community of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu to make sure that they do not walk around town with things that will lure criminals to them. Residents belonging to social money saving clubs are advised to opt for electronic banking methods so as to avoid carrying large amounts of cash on them.
Selosesha Police spokesperson, Sergeant Martin Xuma, said that the police have set a few strategies to fight crime this festive season. “We have noticed that there is a syndicate that preys on the elderly and people who don’t know how to use an ATM machine. We advise the community of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu to ask for help from people who work at the bank, and not just anyone. They should stop going to ATMs that are in dodgy places because criminals use these machines to scam people of their hard earned money. It is also advisable to press ‘cancel’ every time before one uses the ATM,” said Xuma.
He added that the community should note down the serial numbers of their household appliances and also mark them. The serial number will help them trace their appliances when stolen, as the number of household robberies increases during the festive season as most people take a vacation and leave their homes unprotected.
Xuma concluded that residents should be vigilant during the silly season, as this is the time when criminals prey on the most vulnerable.
Lebakeng Nkabi
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