LOUIS TRICHARDT - Armed robbers walked into a jewellery store in the centre of town and left with their loot, while the police were unable to react, because there were no vehicles available at the local police station.

A case of rape in the central business district had to be attended to by members of the Soutpansberg Commando when the local police station once again could not react because of the absence of vehicles.

This astonishing account came to light during the recent meeting of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Louis Trichardt.

The meeting expressed concern about the situation and noted that the CPF have addressed the issue of the lack of vehicles several times in the past.

The CPF received numerous complaints from the community about this unacceptable state of affairs. The CPF previously wrote a letter to the area office after a report that Toyota SA had donated vehicles to the SAPS. The forum, however, never received any feedback or even acknowledgement of receipt of their letter. The meeting decided to write yet another letter.