The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport has called for patience on the roads.

Sello Lehari has been leading stop and search operations on the province’s national roads across all districts. The police service recently welcomed 10,000 new employees to keep communities safe during the holidays.

North West police spokesperson Amanda Funani meanwhile advised the public to be proactive and apply the following safety precautions while at home, travelling, shopping, or using ATMs.

To keep your home safe in your absence:

• Don’t let too many people know when you are going on holiday, only those whom you trust.
• Make sure your doors lock properly and that you have burglar bars.
• If your house is broken into, notify the police immediately.

If you are going on a road trip:

• Buckle up.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Maintain a safe following distance.
• Do not use up your energy on activities, which will increase your fatigue.
• Plan your trip, the route you will travel and where you will stop and rest overnight.
• Make sure your luggage is in the boot and that is closed properly.
• Stop every two hours, taking 15-minute breaks.
• If you feel tired or restless, pull over at a safe spot, and rest for a little while.

If you are travelling at night:

• Be on the lookout for suspicious looking people or vehicles.
• Know where you are going; do not use unfamiliar routes to get home.
• If you are bumped from behind and feel unsafe or suspicious, head to the nearest police station or place of safety.
• Never leave keys in your ignition to open gates.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• Don’t get out to assist someone who seems to be in trouble. Inform the police.

To ensure your safety while shopping and using ATMs:

• Avoid carrying large amounts of money.
• Don’t leave valuable belongings in the trolley.
• Don’t have your wallet or purse visible. Keep your wallet in a front pocket and not the back pocket.
• Don’t let money be too visible, especially large amounts.
• Hold your child’s hand and be alert of them at all times. Always accompany them to public toilets.
• If you are part of a stokvel society or group, do not withdraw all the money to distribute it, rather EFT it into the bank accounts of the participants.
• Avoid using remote ATMs after dark.
• Do not accept assistance from strangers.
• Always protect your PINS.

Other provinces throughout the country also enhanced security measures with Police Minister Bheki Cele making turns to lead road blocks and engage with communities in various provinces. “As the Ministry and SAPS management, we are convinced the Operational Plan this festive season is effective and should be maintained for safer holidays," he said while providing a fuller picture of his oversight visits.

More than 3,000 roadblocks have been conducted throughout the country since 15 October and 200 stop and searches. During this period, police arrested more than 75,000 suspects for various crimes.

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