PROTECTING RUSTENBURG

Rustenburg –  Members of the Police and safety officers were awarded certificates for meritorious conduct for combating crime. The awards ceremony was held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Friday, 16 March.

The ceremony was attended by the executive mayor of Rustenburg, councillor Mpho Khunou; mayoral committee members and senior provincial government officials, including MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management doctor Mpho Motlhabane.

Mayor Khunou sounded a warning to criminals and urged law enforcement agencies, home affairs and NPA to work together. “We will no longer tolerate criminal activities committed by foreign nationals who illegally occupy houses without proper documents,” mayor Khunou said. 

In some instances, electricity was bridged, and guest houses were used for purposes other than accommodation. In one incident, 13 foreign nationals were found staying in one shack at the back of a house belonging to a mining company. The house has since been taken back by the mine. 

“Ninety percent of “guest houses” that we raided were found to be operated by foreign nationals. Criminals have begun to use churches and bogus colleges as a pretence to run a proliferation of drugs and prostitution,” the mayor said.

The multi-disciplinary team which involved SAPS and municipal safety officers was commended for breaking the backbone of crime in Rustenburg. “You are operating at a level never seen. Keep it up!” the mayor added. According to Mayor Khunou, Rustenburg is being targeted as it was the fastest growing city in the country.

The provincial commissioner for the North West Police, lieutenant general Baile Motswenyane expressed hope that Rustenburg would not reach the stage at which crime had infested in Klerksdorp.
A video showing the different properties used by criminals and a list of drugs found was played to demonstrate the extent to which Rustenburg had been taken by criminals.