Bontleng: Turning a positive image
PINI BOTHOKO | Monday September 13, 2021 08:48
Bontleng, which is located in the city centre, used to be one of the areas with the highest criminal rates in the country’s capital city with soaring criminal activities spilling over from Old Naledi.
Now, the area is believed to have been demonstrating new positive twists over the years according to Urban Police Station Commander, Superintendent Ontefetse Tumediso.
In the latest set up, common nuisance, bodily harm, rape, murder and assault cases that were recorded daily in Bontleng area decades ago no longer give the police headache and is considered as distant history.
Bontleng used to have gangs terrorising the community but the police’s efforts to curb crime in the area is slowly bearing fruits turning the area into a peaceful place for dwelling.
Tumediso told Mmegi that even though he did not have readily available statistics to support his statement, serious crimes have drastically dropped over the years.
He stated that the police had to be a step ahead of devious criminals who were always coming up with innovative ways of dispossessing members of the public of their hard earned money and belongings.
“With the help from the community, campaigns to curb crime were held to abolish groups of gangs that were terrorising the community,” he said.
“Then, drug abuse amongst the youth was a contributing factor with amongst people engaged in crime being people aged between 18 to 35 years of age. The community was unsettled with the illicit activities besieging something that forced the police to take a step to fight crime and combat loss of lives.”
Tumediso revealed that even though serious crimes have drastically dropped, petty crimes and mushrooming of shebeens in the area remain a concern.
He stated that the high number of unemployed residents of the area exacerbates the crimes. He said with the recent alcohol ban the area was overwhelmed with cases of people who were arrested roaming the streets whilst drunk during curfew movement restrictions times.
Tumediso further raised a concern over unbridled shebeens emphasising the need for the situation to be urgently contained as it has the possibility of fuelling violent and serious crimes. He said the situation worsened during the alcohol ban, taking into account that almost every house had a drinking place.
“Then, (during alcohol ban) it was evident that alcohol was galore as people were arrested and charged after they were found roaming around the streets under the influence of alcohol beyond curfew movement restriction times. Residents have been having sleepless nights as the shebeen operators were well known people operating as ‘bo MmaSpoto’,” he said.
Tumediso said shebeens continue to concern the police because they are well known for fuelling violent and serious crimes and people also mugged on their way to and from the late night shebeens. However, Tumediso said he does not know whether the mushrooming of shebeens is sparked by high unemployment, poverty or it is because people just simply want quick buck in pursuing the vocation.
Furthermore, petty crimes such as pick pocketing and smash and grab remain concerns in the area with women being the most targeted individuals as reports indicate high numbers of cases involving females.
He also said criminals have been targeting motorists, especially women, passengers alighting or boarding public transport vehicles at bus stops, robbing them of money, cellphones and laptops.
Tumediso further pleaded with members of the public to be cautious at all times when walking or boarding public transport to avoid falling prey to criminals.