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Not a single person has been successfully prosecuted for robbing trucks along the N1 at Ventersburg since at least 2021.

According to an official Parliamentary reply to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) question, Police Minister Bheki Cele indicates that a total of 170 cases have been reported since April 2021, of which 0% have been prosecuted. In 145 of these cases, no arrests were made, another six were withdrawn due to lack of evidence and a total of 19 cases are still before the court.

Recently, local business owners have alleged they have lost up to 30% of their revenue due to robberies and plundering. They further allege that the culprits are the so-called Nyope Boys gang, yet the police have over the last four years failed to address any of these crimes.

In his reply, the Minister alleges that part of the problem relates to complainants (truck drivers) not residing in the area and cannot easily reach Ventersburg to give evidence.

However, the actual problem lies with crime prevention. Due to a lack of vehicles and resources and, as some residents allege, a general lack of will to assist, the SAPS are failing to prevent these crimes. Ventersburg’s economy relies primarily on revenue generated through the transport industry, truck stops and fuel stations along the N1. Criminal activities cause job losses in an already struggling local community.

The DA will take the inability of the SAPS to prevent these crimes to the Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Baile Motswenyane, with a petition from the community requesting an urgent intervention.

However, this weekend, voters can take the first step in bringing a more lasting change by registering to vote to rescue South Africa. Voters can go to check.voteda.org to check their registration status.

Issued by George Michalakis MP - DA Member of the National Council of Provinces