Picture: A Peugeot vehicle that was stolen at Dj Nation Annual Bash event in Taung/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Criminals have now turned the Dj Nation Annual Bash event into their ‘crime haven’. This comes after widespread allegations that some revellers were robbed off their cell phones and personal belongings on 28 December 2023. One of the revellers, Kabelo Kolwane’s metallic grey Peugeot vehicle with Gauteng Province registration number was also stolen in the process.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane, Kolwane (41) allegedly left the stadium at around 00:30 to check-up on his dog that was in the vehicle.
“According to his statement, he was in the company of a dog and left it in the vehicle. At around 00:30, he went to feed it in his car. While he opened the car for his dog to pee, he allegedly saw one of his friends sitting in the other car, not far from his.
“Unfortunately, he left the car keys on the driver’s seat and went to greet his friend. He allegedly sat in his friend’s car and forgot that he left his car unattended. After some time, he went back to check on his car, but it was nowhere to be found,” he said.
Tselanyane further said the owner of the vehicle allegedly went to the Taung Police Station on 29 December 2023, to open a theft of a motor vehicle case. He added that, however, the case could not be opened because the complainant was ‘still under the influence of alcohol’.
“The case was only opened on 30 December 2023 and investigations are underway,” said Tselanyane.
One of the patrons who attended the Dj Nation Annual Bash event and refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “Truly speaking, we do not feel safe anymore at the Dj Nation Annual Bash event. I am the victim too after losing my phone. I do not think there are enough security guards at the event, especially in the dark areas.
“To compound the matter, the security guards were not helpful and their subsequent lack of sense of urgency and problem-solving left one with a sour taste in the mouth.”
Another patron whose cell phone was also snatched, calls on the Dj Nation Annual Bash event organisers to ensure that the safety of patrons becomes their priority.
“We cannot leave our homes to enjoy ourselves at the event and we are robbed of our personal belongings. Even if one had a Very Important Person (VIP) ticket, the treatment is sub-standard. The VIP section was overcrowded, hence we were also robbed.
“I humbly call on the organisers to increase security because this will affect the reputation of the event in the long run. I once heard challenging complaints, but I never thought it would happen to me,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Dj Nation Annual Bash organiser, Blondie Mokgwabone and his Communication Manager, Kgalalelo Letshabo, are mum on the matter and did not respond to the media inquiry sent to them before publishing this article.
*Their response will be incorporated in the article when received.
The Guardian 