Captain Milanda Coetzer of the SAPS responded today to a social media flurry in which photographs of a police vehicle illegally parked outside a Grahamstown shop were widely circulated.
Captain Milanda Coetzer of the SAPS responded today to a social media flurry in which photographs of a police vehicle illegally parked outside a Grahamstown shop were widely circulated.
She urged members of the public to report such incidents immediately and directly to the police.
A clamp had been attached to the rear wheel of the vehicle, which stood in a disabled parking bay outside the Pick n Pay at Pepper Grove mall.
Security staff at the mall routinely use this method to immobilise illegally parked vehicles, whose owners then must pay a fine to have it removed.
The area's crime intelligence officer, Coetzer is a SAPS representative on the Festival's Joint Operations Committee – the multi-pronged grouping tasked with managing public safety during the annual event. She emphasised that the police are not above the law.
"SAPS vehicles are not allowed to park on disabled parking bays, just like any other drivers are not allowed except if they are disabled," Coetzer said.
"The Grahamstown community is once again invited to report any matter of this nature to the SAPS even if they feel that it should be posted on social media. She said it was important for the police to be informed so they could address the matter immediately.
The Grahamstown Police can be reached at 046 603 9152. During the National Arts Festival, there are five temporary reporting stations: Church Square, High Street, Village Green, Fiddlers Green and the Monument.
Holes in handbags
Cutting holes in handbags is the latest modus operandi Grahamstown police are warning National Arts Festival revellers about.
"No case dockets have been opened yet, but we are concerned," Coetzer told Grocott's Mail yesterday.
"We have had some reports of handbags having holes cut in them at licensed entertainment premises," Coetzer said. "Then they steal phones from them."
Police said this afternoon no serious cases had been reported in Grahamstown on Monday 6 July.
"We are however concerned about the thefts of cellphones on the Village Green," Coetzer said.
"People put their phones down and moments later they are missing," she said. "People need to be aware where their phones are at all times."
Coetzer also requested that members of the public immediately get their phones blacklisted if they are stolen.
"They should obtain IMEI numbers before they report incidents to us, so a case docket can be opened."
Coetzer said Festival-goers should also be careful not to leave goods in plain sight in vehicles.
"We are still concerned about remote controls being used to jam vehicles' locking mechanisms in order for suspects to gain access."
