A woman believed to be a member of the most wanted ATM card scammer syndicate around Eshowe CBD was arrested yesterday anhanded over to the South Africa Police Services by uMlalazi Traffic Officers.
Her arrest comes after a long investigation by a private company tasked by local banks to investigate the spike in crimes involving bank cards scam. She was nabbed in possession of a bank card of a victim. A number of complaints were also registered by the community, especially SASSA grant beneficiaries whom she majorly targeted.
UMlalazi Local Municipality, the Mayor, Cllr Queen Theodorah Xulu, has applauded her apprehension as it will bring much-needed relief to locals. “This affirms our relentless commitment to zero tolerance to various forms of crime within our Municipality,” she said.
However, she condemned mob justice and violence as members of the community took the law into their own hands. Then, the Mayor said, “We are pleading with members of our community to desist from taking the law into their hands. We understand the seriousness of the perpetual occurrence of various crimes that continue to terrorise communities”
mAs the Municipality, we pledge solidarity with various law enforcement agencies, including private security companies, to eradicate crime wherever it shows it’s ugly head.
She also used this incident as an example and said, “For instance, in today’s incident, a vehicle belonging to the investigators was nearly torched after it was overturned by an angry mob who demanded that the suspects should be released to them. We understand that people are angry and frustrated, but mob justice cannot be condoned as sometimes innocent lives are affected.”
UMlalazi Municipality Public Safety Senior Manager Xolani Blose confirmed that the car belonged to a private investigating unit, and one of their members was admitted to hospital after he suffered injuries when the mob was in alteration with them.
He applauded traffic Senior Superintendent Mcithi for putting his life at risk by protecting private investigators from an angry mob “We call upon the community to exercise calm and inform the police. We condemn vigilantism with the strongest possible terms it deserves, said Mayor.