Nyanga police have warned motorists to beware of smash-and-grab attacks when they are waiting at red traffic lights on Borcherds Quarry Road close to Cape Town International Airport.
This comes after two incidents were caught on camera over the past two weeks.
Nyanga police communications officer Captain Ntomboxolo Sitshitshi said a 17-year-old suspect was arrested last week after being found in possession of a dangerous weapon and identified as one of the the people caught on the footage.
“Two other suspects, who are also known for smash-and-grabs, were arrested for the possession of dangerous weapons, and they too will be checked to see if they are linked to the recent smash-and-grabs,” she said.
Nyanga Community Policing Forum’s Martin Makhasi said they have pleaded with the City of Cape Town to provide Law Enforcement officers, but to no avail.
He said the forum had recently formed a multi-stakeholders agency, comprising the police, CPFs and government departments, to look at the safety of informal settlements.
“Within Nyanga police precinct we have about 17 informal settlements. Our biggest challenge is almost all of them are not serviced by the municipality, and that makes it difficult for police to do effective policing, which then makes them havens for criminals and criminal activities,” Makhasi said.
Sitshitshi cautioned motorists to be vigilant at all times when approaching the Borcherds Quarry area.
She said motorists should maintain a safe following distance, keep their valuables in their car boot, and not travel with possessions visible on their vehicle’s seats.
Cape Argus