Kimberley community crime fighters injured in clash with Stockdale Street ‘kingpins’

ACTIVISTS from the Safety and Security Task Team, a community organisation leading proactive crime-prevention operations in Kimberley, were assaulted and injured on two occasions on January 14 in Stockdale Street.

After laying a charge of assault at the Kimberley police station on Wednesday morning, Task Team members Tumelo Mosikare and Thabiso Louw were attacked by a group of people in Stockdale Street at around 12.40pm.

One of the men who was apparently involved in the scuffle that broke out reportedly yelled, “I am not going to leave here”, before he later fled the scene.

Residents said the CBD was being made “ungovernable” by foreign national drug dealers, who were the “kingpins” of Stockdale Street.

Mosikare indicated that, despite being attacked unprovoked, they would not be deterred from ridding the city of criminal elements.

“We cannot back down or allow criminals to run the city,” he said.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Litabe confirmed that two cases of common assault were under investigation at the Kimberley police station following an alleged physical altercation involving several men in Stockdale Street on January 14.

“In both cases, no physical injuries were reported and no arrests were effected by the police. Investigations continue,” said Litabe.

Mouse in the house at tuck shop 

Mosikare also called for a tuck shop in Galeshewe to be closed down, saying it was infested with mice.

“A mouse was seen snacking on the peanuts in the sweets display cabinet. It is unhygienic and diseases can be spread,” he said.

In a video of the mouse that was posted on social media, the creator pointed out in an expletive-laden commentary: “Kimberley people… look here, the f***ing mouse is f***ing eating the f***ing peanuts. He’s feasting – he doesn’t play – he’s already fat from the f***ing peanuts.”

Expired goods, as well as firecrackers, were destroyed at the same tuck shop earlier this week.

The cashier reportedly said there were “many mice in the shop” but that he was “not able to do anything about it”.

He added that he did not like to keep cats on the premises.

Children ‘addicted’ to gambling

The Task Team also destroyed illegal gambling machines that were confiscated from tuck shops in Homevale, Roodepan, Galeshewe and Beaconsfield.

Louw said they handed over 57 gambling machines at the Galeshewe police station.

“Those that were not claimed were destroyed in front of the community on January 11 to warn the owners that we will take action, as no one else is regulating it. Every time the machines are confiscated, they are replaced in a short space of time. The tuck shop owners are apparently not licensed. It appears that they fear the owners of the gambling machines more than law enforcement authorities,” said Louw.

He stated that children were becoming addicted to gambling from a young age.

“Instead of going to school, small children are permitted to play on these machines. They use their lunch money or small change when they are sent to buy something from the shop. We urge the community to rise up against illegal gambling.”

Some of the children were upset that the gambling machines had been destroyed.

“We will have to play cards for money instead. We ask our parents for money and we are robbed on the way to the tuck shop,” they said.

Community members praised the Task Team for getting rid of the gambling machines, saying they were an “unnecessary evil”.

Police warn public not to take law into their own hands

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said members of the community allegedly removed several gambling machines from tuck shops and spaza shops and handed them over to the police in Galeshewe on January 9.

She added that the Galeshewe police were investigating allegations of illegal gambling.

“The public is urged to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to report suspicious behaviour or criminality in order for authorities to initiate investigations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.”

Ehlers encouraged the public to report any information to the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or alternatively via the MySAPS app.

“All information will be treated as confidential,” she added.

Mouse-infested tuck shop closed down

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the confiscation of gambling machines fell under the mandate of the police, upon instruction from the Gambling Board.

“Operations were held in December where illegal gambling machines were confiscated,” Mothibi said.

He added that the tuck shop in Galeshewe was found to be non-compliant during an inspection conducted on January 13.

“A non-compliance notice was issued and the shop was closed until it meets the required hygienic standards. A follow-up inspection will be conducted.”

Mothibi said premises selling food to the public were expected to be safe and free from contamination.

“The Sol Plaatje Environmental Health Unit is responsible for carrying out inspections focusing on hygiene, food safety, pest control and the handling of food products.

“The presence of vermin, such as mice, poses a significant health risk, as they can contaminate food with faeces and urine.”

Mothibi added that the sale of goods that had passed their expiry date was strictly prohibited.

“All food products must meet safety standards and be sold within their use-by dates. Any [expired] items found during inspections will be confiscated and disposed of accordingly.”

He encouraged the community to report any concerns regarding food safety or illegal activities at local tuck shops.

“The health and safety of the community are of the utmost importance,” Mothibi said.