The Thohoyandou police, whose area has been overwhelmed by crimes such as stealing from motor vehicles, took the fight against criminals to another level at the weekend when they visited the local Mbaleni Cemetery.
Their presence at the cemetery nearly caused a stir when mourners thought they had come to arrest some of them. Unbeknown to them the policemen, under the comnand of Capt Takalani Malogwa, was on a campaign to inform the public about crime, which had spread even to the final resting place of people.
During the visit to the cemetery, mourners were given tips on how not to fall victim to criminals.
According to Thohoyandou station commissioner Brig Willy Mashaba, there has been an increase in the number of cases reported of theft from motor vehicles in the Thohoyandou CBD and, suprisigly, even at graveyards during funerals.
He said the jamming-device method was the commonly used method to gain entry to cars. "This type of crime, where criminals use these remote controls of vehicles to enter the vehicles is of grave concern to us, where we find criminals not treating burials with respect."
He added that their focus was theft out of motor vehicles and motor vehicle theft. "We cautioned the mourners that they should be careful and make sure their vehicles are locked before entering the cemetery, as many have lost their valuables at the cemetery."
Mr Janie Mudau, who was attending one of the funerals, applauded the police for running such a campaign to the extent that they even visited the graveyard. "One does not expect crime to happen here, because our culture dictates that this place should be respected."