BY Obakeng Maje

The Cluster Special Operation held at Ikageng and Potchefstroom on the 18th and 19th May 2012 yielded positive results.

This joint special operation was executed by members from Highway Patrol, Legal Services, Mounted Unit, Potchefstroom and Ikageng Police Stations, Detectives, CCU, TRT, K9, Local Traffic and Syntel.

During this joint Special Cluster Operation, 95 suspects were arrested for different crimes like possession of suspected stolen property, rape, drinking in public, assault GBH, house breaking and theft, loitering and 69 Traffic Act fines were issued with the assistance of SYNTEL SYSTEMS.

During the operation, 35 “Ladies of the night” were arrested. Some of them were able to afford a fine of R300.00 and was released. These arrests were done to send a clear message, that what they are doing, is not acceptable by Ikageng and Potchefstroom communities. These “Ladies of the

Night” are also contributing to escalating crime, because they are sometimes raped, assaulted, robbed and murdered.  

The Syntel Systems is a Secret Weapon that helps the Police and Traffic department in the fight against crime. This weapon is an average looking vehicle with three special cameras attached to the roof of the vehicle. Each continually scans number plates of parked cars, those driving in front, behind and in the opposite direction to this equipped vehicle.

“The plate numbers are relayed to an on board computer which in turn wirelessly sends and crosschecks them against the Enatis traffic information system database. The server then bounces back detailed information about each vehicle” Captain Adele Myburgh said.

The aim of this Cluster Crime Operation was to send out a clear message that the police and other supporting structures can work together in dealing with crime.