The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, in Westridge, is calling on the community not to buy goods stolen from the church on Sunday January 21.
Harold Stellenboom, from Rocklands, a parishioner and a trustee of the church, said this has been the fourth burglary in months.
“We are also asking the community to come forward with any information, they may have, if they witnessed the break-in,” he said.
He said the church was considerably damaged inside and that several items had been stolen, including speakers, a fridge, stationery, a laminating machine and holy communion utensils.
“It is rather sad, the manner in which they have damaged this place of worship. It should not be done in any place of worship, nor a creche or a school,” he said.
Members of Mitchell’s Plain police forensic department collected fingerprints yesterday, Tuesday January 23.
Two men were arrested, in Woodlands, after they ran away from Metro police officers, who were about to confront them about a traffic contravention.
The officers saw a white Honda spinning its wheels at an intersection on Thursday January 18.
As they approached the vehicle, the driver sped off and the officers gave pursuit.
The driver drove into a cul-de-sac where he and his passenger jumped out of the vehicle, locked it and ran away.
The officers spotted a replica firearm on the driver’s seat and waited for the suspects to return.
They were arrested on their return for being in the possession of an imitation firearm. The driver faces an additional charge of reckless and negligent driving.
Lentegeur police are investigating the murder of Rudolph Edwards, an alleged gang member who was shot dead in Marigold Street on Sunday January 21, at 5.48pm.
He was shot 15 times in the head and body.
According Western Cape police spokesman, Captain Frederik van Wyk, said Mr Edwards had been making potjiekos in the yard, when alleged gang members came in and shot him.
“The motive is gang-related. No suspects have been arrested,” he said.
In light of the recent incidents of stone throwing and mob justice, Mitchell’s Plain police will be hosting an imbizo at the Nelson Mandela Family and Youth Centre main hall in Tafelsig between 2pm and 5pm tomorrow, Thursday January 25.
Mitchell’s Plain residents will have an opportunity to engage with representatives from the police, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), emergency medical services and NGOs at the imbizo. For more information, call 021 370 1638.
Mitchell’s Plain police recovered a silver Renault Stepway with registration CA 496 654 and the belongings of a German couple a day after they were robbed in Tafelsig.
The two were standing watching the waves and the car parked on Baden Powell Drive, when a man holding a sharp object demanded their cellphones and money on Monday January 22.
The tourists told the thief that their money was in the car. The thief then took the car keys, from the husband and went to the car.
There were two other men, waiting at the car.
Two iphones were stolen, as well as their wallets with passports, luggage and two road bikes.
The three men got into the car and drove off.
The car was recovered in Tafelsig and taken to Bellville South police station.
Yesterday, Tuesday January 23, Tafelsig West sector commander Captain Raymond Solomon and members of the police’s provincial intervention task team followed up on information and arrested two men, aged 26 and 27.
The recovered an Orbea bicycle, three bottles of wine, a Vaude backpack and three Ortlieb luggage bags, a bicycle tube, sensor, light and hairdryer. The men are due in Mitchell’s Plain magistrate’s court soon.
Brigadier Cass Goolam, Mitchell’s Plain Station commander, said police would continue clamping down on crime and criminals.
“Police will maintain their zero tolerance approach in the combatting and investigation of crime,” he said.
He commended his members for a job well done as well as the community for their involvement in reporting crime and criminals.
