There is the risk in Durban North of car thefts taking place. Among the crime trends discussed at last week’s community imbizo, the theft of motor vehicles was most prominent. Police urged motorists and visitors to ensure their vehicles are properly locked when they’ve parked them in public. The meeting at the Wings Club at Virginia Airport was led by Lieutenant Colonel Pam Nair, the Visible Policing (Vispol) Commander of Durban North SAPS, and she was joined by Station Commander Jericho Nkomo and Captain Tracy Mey Commander of the Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC). It was also revealed that the theft out of motor vehicle cases were being recorded at various shopping malls across their policing precinct, and not one specific site.
Also present at the meeting was station spokesperson Sergeant Nonhlanhla Shozi who said the majority of cases reported were as a result of remote jamming. Remote jamming refers to a method used by criminals that prevents your car key fob from locking and the alarm from arming. “We urge residents who park in public to ensure their alarm is activated and that all doors are locked before walking away from their vehicle. We also encourage residents not to leave valuables in plain sight,” she said. Terry Goulding of the Durban North CPF also took time to address the residents attending the meeting and echoed Shozi’s warning.
“Often times people are several metres away from their vehicle when they press their locking device with their backs to the vehicle. Never lock your car this way, I encourage residents to physically check the doors are locked,” he said.
The risk of any one falling victim to this crime is a likely possibility. The solution is to ensure your car doors are locked and windows sealed shut properly. If you suspect any sign of car door jamming occurring close at hand report it to the local police. You should also check if your alarm is on before leaving the car. Should you suspect that your car has been undergoing remote jamming by an assailant or assailants close by, contact the police and drive your car to another area. Residents could be placing their cars at risk if their doors and windows are not all locked and their vehicle alarms are not on.
Being close by to your vehicle to ensure a strong signal is the most important part to ensuring that your vehicle is properly locked also keep a detailed photo of your car’s name plate on your phone. Protecting your vehicle from theft when parking in a deserted area should be a priority. Alarm must be on.
Meanwhile Asheen Magjee, the newly appointed President of the Durban chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed his bold three-pillar strategy to transform Durban’s business landscape through accountability, investment and collaboration.
The FNB executive aims to create an environment where “every entrepreneur can dream, every business can grow, and every citizen can believe” in Durban’s economic future. “It also drives social initiatives such as education, youth empowerment, and community development programmes, ensuring inclusive economic progress and societal resilience,” he said. Magjee said that the business community played a critical role within society and had the power to change, transform communities and make an impact on the environment we live in. “Business drives economic growth by creating jobs, generating income, and fostering innovation, while serving society by providing goods, services, and solutions that improve quality of life.” Magjee, who has been employed by FNB for 18 years, and is currently its provincial head of commercial banking in KwaZulu-Natal, said during this time, his passion for finance matured towards helping businesses and entrepreneurs start, run and grow.
He is also a qualified chartered accountant and holds a Master’s in business leadership.
Magjee is focused on improving the quality of life in the Durban metro and greater eThekwini region. However, he will have to have the ears of the municipality and Mayor Cyril Xaba to improve the overall attractiveness and sustainability of the city. As the newly elected President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Magjee has an opportunity to remind eThekwini Municipality that it should be part of its role and polices to consult with and engage with business and civil society. Magjee’s focus and proposal to concentrate on education, youth empowerment and community development programmes is the right way to unlock the city’s potential. However, Magjee and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry need the partnership of civil society and our education institutions to move their ambitions for eThekwini along. Knowledge and experience with finance, trade and industry will form pillars for Magjee to utilize.
Magjee may be instrumental in improving Durban’s desirability as a centre of commerce and a place to live. However how the municipality confronts the growing problem of crime remains on the cards.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
