A resident is calling for community vigilance after a bakkie was stolen from Ocean Street in Kensington.
Mr Sudesh Roopnarain said on Sunday about three men arrived in a white Ford ST. The suspects worked on a white Toyota bakkie that was parked in the street for more than 30 minutes before stealing it.
“Someone saw the second car parking and the men walking around the bakkie, but no one said or did anything about it,” he said.
He added that a man working along the street as a volunteer guard saw the incident but did not investigate the suspicious activity.
“When I was driving out, he told me a bakkie had been stolen. I went back to view the surveillance camera footage because it covers that particular spot. In the footage, you can see the men were not in a hurry. Our street guard saw the suspects but did not call anyone or the police. I think he is not the only one who saw the suspects,” said Mr Roopnarain.
According to Mr Roopnarain, the bakkie was later recovered in Soweto.
“It was badly damaged but it was recovered. I believe that if the residents in our street were vigilant, we could have prevented this crime, or we could have helped recover the vehicle before it travelled far,” he said.
Mr Roopnarain said the increase of crime in the area requires residents to work together to curb crime.
“Let us work together. Know your neighbours. Know their cars. Have your neighbour’s contact numbers. If you see a suspicious car in your neighbour’s driveway, call and ask if everything is fine. This is not being nosy, but taking care of your neighbour,” he said.
