Between 1 April and 30 June 2015, 44 individuals were arrested in connection with 32 positive anonymous tip-offs received by Crime Stop and Crime Line.
Crime Stop is an anonymous tip-off service, modelled on Crime Stoppers International, which has resorted under the South African Police Service for over 20 years and can be contacted by phoning 08600 10111. Crime Line was created eight years ago via a partnership between the South African Police Service and the Primedia Group and tip-offs can be sent via sms to 32211.
The 44 individuals arrested over this particular three month reporting period, were held on the following charges:
Possession of drugs 24
Dealing in drugs 4
Illegal liquor dealing 3
Theft of motor vehicle 2
Rape 1
Murder 4
Unlicensed firearms 2
Fraud 1
Fake identity documents 2
Extradition from SA 1
During this period, illicit or stolen goods to the value of R632 000 were seized by the members of the SAPS who followed up on the community’s tip-offs and effected arrests.
Six stolen motor vehicles were recovered, with an approximate value of R484 000 and will be returned to the lawful owners once identified.
Four individuals were arrested in Ivory Park, Gauteng, in connection with a murder case and one suspect was taken into custody with regards to a rape case reported in Harrismith, KwaZulu-Natal.
One of the more interesting cases involved an anonymous call to 08600 10111 which resulted in the extradition of a pastor, Bruce Scott, to the United Kingdom. The anonymous whistle-blower informed the call centre operator that Scott was wanted in the UK for absconding before sentencing on fraud-related charges. The tipster provided information on Scott’s whereabouts and he was arrested by members of South Africa’s Interpol office, detained in Randburg and thereafter handed over to British authorities and extradited. Scott was apparently convicted in the UK on 10 counts of fraud and deception after conning almost 250 000 pounds from his congregation in Hazlemere. He was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Riah Phiyega, has once again praised those who provide information on crime and criminal activities, albeit anonymously. “We all have a role to play in ridding our communities, schools and work environments of those who think that they are above the law,” said General Phiyega. “If you have information on crime, child abuse, corruption or like activities, let us know the what, why, when, where and how by calling 0860010111 or sending an sms to 32211,” she added.
Crime Line urged the public to continue passing on detailed anonymous tip-offs. “Tip-offs work. Let’s continue to partner with the SAPS and rid our communities of crime.
We thank the SAPS for acting on the information. Let’s continue to join hands and make our country safer.”
Crime Line and Crime Stop has also appealed to the public to blow the whistle on cop killers. “An attack on our police officers is an attack on all of us.”
