Potch Safety Watch: Incident Reports and Security Briefing
- Karen Scheepers
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
This article provides a summary of safety and security incidents in the Potchefstroom area from December 6 to December 18, 2025. The following information was compiled from reports shared by Potchefstroom First Responders and various local security role players.
🛡️ Rural Safety and Crime Trends
A serious appeal has been issued regarding a sharp increase in crime within the Potchefstroom rural district over the first 10 days of December.
Rise in Specific Crimes: Authorities have noted a spike in livestock theft, the theft of pivot motors, motorcycle theft, and residential burglaries.
Suspicious Activity: Daily reports of suspicious persons and vehicles are increasing.
Call to Action: Safety coordinators are urging residents to report every incident, no matter how small, to local safety groups. This data is essential for coordinated preventative policing between the SAPS, camera networks, and private security.
Property Recovered: On December 6, CCTV monitoring led to the recovery of a motorcycle in the Springbok/Walter Sisulu area after suspects fled the scene.
Recent Theft: A motorcycle with license plate KTT718NW was reported stolen from a property in Kock Street in the early hours of December 16.
Police Visibility: SAPS members were observed conducting patrols on horseback on December 8, a move welcomed by the community.
🚗 Road Safety and Major Accidents
The festive season has been marked by several high-impact traffic incidents, including a tragic loss of life.
Fatalities on the N12: On December 13, five people lost their lives in a collision on the N12 between Potchefstroom and the Fochville crossing. A second, fatal accident occurred at the same location later that day.
R501 Incidents: Accidents were reported near Boskop Mall (Dec 7) and approximately 25km outside of town (Dec 15), the latter resulting in a temporary road closure. A collision also occurred at the McDonald’s circle on December 15.
Other Areas: Notable accidents occurred on the Nelson Mandela Drive bridge (Dec 12), the Parys Road (Dec 14), and in Mohadin (Dec 16), where a vehicle crashed into a building at Mohadin Primary School.
Safety Awareness: On December 12, health and law enforcement agencies conducted a road safety and wellness drive along the N12, providing chronic illness screening for truck drivers and distributing health materials.
🚒 Fire and Emergency Responses
Local fire services responded to several structural incidents during this period.
Structural Fires: The JB Marks Fire Department attended to a structural fire on Modderdam Road on December 14 and a residential fire in Ikageng on December 17.
Casualties: No injuries were reported in either fire incident.
⚖️ Law Enforcement Successes
A coordinated operation led to a breakthrough in local violent crime.
Hijacking Arrests: Three suspects, including a 17-year-old female, were arrested in Potchefstroom on December 15 following a hijacking and robbery.
Multi-Agency Cooperation: The operation involved SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Flying Squad, the Provincial Drug Task Team, and private security firms.
As the festive season continues, residents are reminded that they are often their own first responders. Authorities emphasize the importance of securing property after hours to prevent theft and vandalism. Driving with extreme caution on wet roads, maintaining first aid readiness, and remaining vigilant are key to ensuring community safety during this period.
🚔🏍️🚒⚠️
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