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The news of the armed robbery at Utrecht’s Department of Social Development (DSD) has spread far and wide. The community left flabbergasted at the efficiency and audacity of the perpetrators.
Reacting to the incident, KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, is now calling on the police to intensify their investigations. “The robbery at our service office will result in a major setback to service our clients. The stolen computers contain sensitive information about people we serve daily,” she says.
While MEC Khoza claims she has full confidence in the police, she states it is disappointing that criminals continue to target government offices. “Any stolen government properties have a major impact on service delivery to the communities.”
What is worrying, MEC Khoza claims the Department experienced several incidents in different offices across KZN during the course of 2020, where vehicles and computers were stolen.
She further expressed her concern around no arrests being made, even in the previous incidents. “There seems to be a syndicate of criminals operating across the province, targeting offices of the Department of Social Development. Police have informed us that they are currently investigating the matter, with the view to have the perpetrators arrested.”
According to reports in October 2020, it was speculated that a syndicate was potentially targeting vehicles belonging to the KZN DSD. The criminals hijacked employees out in the field, resulting in over 50 state vehicles being stolen.
Is there a bigger picture here? Are these cases linked, and is it indeed a highly efficient syndicate? Hopefully, the puzzle pieces will come together over the ensuing months, leading to arrests being made. As the DSD contends with these challenges; while attempting to carry out its duties, what are your thoughts on the recent armed robbery in Utrecht, and the syndicate behaviour?
Share your views with us in the comment section below.
