Please report any crime, no matter how small, to your local SAPS and Security Service Provider. If you have items stolen it is important that you open a case and get a CAS number. Reporting crime to the South African Police Services is very important and unfortunately many people feel that it often isn’t worth the effort. Yes, it will take up some of your time, but it is also your duty to those around you to do so, because by not reporting your crime you are allowing a criminal to continue with their activities.
The SAPS will open a case docket and investigate the crime, effecting arrests of suspects and presenting the case to courts for prosecution.
The Process:
• When a person has been a victim of crime he/she can contact the police by dialling 10111 or visit their nearest Police Station. If a Police Official attends the crime scene, he/she will obtain a statement from the complainant and witnesses if possible.
• The Police Official will then go to the Police Station and register the case in the SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS) and give the complainant the reference which is called a CAS number.
• The complainant must ensure that he/she retains this CAS number as a reference for future enquiries regarding the criminal case.
• If the complainant visits the local Police Station to report the crime he/she will be attended to in the Community Service Centre by a Police Official. The Police Official will first interview and then take a statement from the complainant and register the reported crime into the CAS file.
• The complainant will then be given a CAS number which must be used for all enquiries regarding the reported criminal case.
• The completed case docket is then allocated to a Police Detective who will carry out the investigation and all enquiries can then be directed to this detective.
• The Detective in charge of the particular case will complete the investigation and present the docket to the relevant court for prosecution.
• The complainant will be notified by the Detective when he/she is to attend the court hearings.
The local SAPS contact numbers are:
SAPS Howick 033 239 9340
SAPS Mpophomeni 033 238 0078
SAPS Hilton 033 845 6500 / 033 845 6521
Radio Control (Hilton) 10111
There are many local organisations, Security Service Providers, NHW groups and community members trying to make a difference and reduce crime. Please play your part by reporting crimes responsibly and opening cases with SAPS so that all these efforts are not in vain. Please also be sensible and responsible about your use of social media when reporting crimes.
You can also contact Knight Security Solutions 24/7 on 033 330 5911.
News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.