By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The residents at Pudimoe Township near Taung said they do not feel safe anymore because police officers allegedly lock themselves up at night. This comes after some residents allegedly visited the police station and found the gates locked. 

One of the residents, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal said: “I was surprised when I visited the police station at around 20: 50 and found the gates locked.

“I had to scream my lungs out before the police could open for me. But why would the whole police station lock its gate after 20:00? I think the police station offers a 24-hour service, but it seems I am wrong.”

 Another resident said running to the police station to report criminal activities in their neighbourhoods at night, will only be a waste of time because the gates are closed.  

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa said: “The Pudimoe Police Station gates were not locked, but only closed as confirmed by the Station Commander. As per instruction, after 6pm, the access to the police stations must be monitored accordingly and therefore gates must be closed and not locked.

“Service delivery will not be hampered since the gates are not locked and if, there is a victim of a crime that needs assistance they are still able to access services as they will be able to enter.”

Van Rooyen said in addition, they request any member of the public who alleged that the gates were locked and had proof, should be referred to the Station Commander in order to receive immediate attention.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A police bakkie was torched by angry community members in Extension 1 in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp. This comes after a missing girl, 10, was allegedly found in the shack next to her home in a company of a man.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, the police were informed of a missing girl late at night on 9 August 2022. Myburgh said a missing person’s enquiry was opened and police did preliminary investigations.

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— Obakeng Ice-T Maje (@IceT_) August 12, 2022

“On 10 August 2022, at 10am, the community members mobilised and started to search for the missing girl. At around 4pm, the girl was allegedly found inside a shack close to her home in the company of a male, who was allegedly assaulted by members of the community. 

“The police were summoned to the scene and on arrival, they rescued the man who was subsequently admitted to hospital. According to information, the members of the community, then stabbed and damaged the tyres of the police Nissan bakkie and ultimately torched it,” she said.

Myburgh further said a police officer was injured during a brawl after he was hit by a stone. She added that, the girl was taken together with her mother to Thuthuzela Care Centre for a medical examination.

“At this stage, a case docket has been opened for malicious damage to property and is under investigation,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned in the strongest possible terms an attack on police. Kwena expressed his displeasure about the incident and urged the community to work together with the police in the fight against crime through recognised structures such as Community Police Forum (CPF).

“The attack on police is an attack against the state and the damage caused will have a negative impact on service delivery,” he said.

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