The Commissioner of Police, Mr Thebeyame Tsimako has raised his concern about the rising level of crime in Mogoditshane.

Addressing residents of Mogoditshane recently, Mr Thebeyame Tsimako said that crime has been increasing in the village. He stated that statistics indicate that penal code offences, which include break-ins, robberies, rape among others have increased from 4533 in the year 2005 to 7814 last year.

Mr Tsimako said Mogoditshane, as a semi-urban area and its closeness to the city, attracts a large number of people who come in search of greener pastures some of who end up engaging in crime. He cited alcohol abuse as one of the causes of crime in the area.

He advised residents of Mogoditshane to desist from harbouring and hiring illegal immigrants, saying that doing so is an offence on itself. He added that some illegal immigrants end up being involved in crime.

He further urged the residents to work with the police through neighbourhood watch schemes and clusters to bring down the level of crime in their area. He said that a high level of crime could scare away potential investors to the village.

For their part the residents asked the police to work with the bye-law enforcement officers to raid business as some of them are operating without trade licenses. They said that such businesses including legitimate ones have become centres of illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and other crimes, hence a need for Police investigations.