An EXPRESS reader from Yeoville said the newspaper helped prevent a robbery at her home.
Mrs Sehorane Lehlonela said that after reading an article in the June 30 edition of the EXPRESS, she told her children not to open the gates for anyone without notifying her.
In that story, the Yeoville SAPS communications officer, Constable Thabo Malatji, urged the community to be vigilant.
He said there was a group of three to four people claiming to represent water or electricity companies or departments.
“The suspects claim they are there to change bulbs or install shower caps. They have been spotted in different suburbs. When residents open for them, the suspects rob the victims at gunpoint,” said Const Malatji.
Mrs Lehlonela said after reading the article, she became extra cautious.
“On Wednesday last week, three men arrived at my home. They found my children playing in the yard. The men asked my children to open the gate for them as they were from City Power.
“They were there to check if the electricity plugs were working properly. My children, remembering what I had told them, gave the men my numbers to call,” she said.
Mrs Lehlonela said she told the men that City Power would notify her if they were sending someone to her house.
“I also told them that the City Power meter is outside and that if there was a problem with my plugs it is my problem and not their problem. I told them I will call my technician to fix it,” she said.
She said the men left after that.
Mrs Lehlonela believes the men strike during school holidays.
“They are expecting that children will be alone and naïve. They hope this will give easy access. Let’s share the safety tips with our children. It might not work all the time but most of the time it does. I think I was lucky that my children called me. I do not want to imagine what would have happened if they did open for them,” she said.
Const Malatji said people have to demand identification from people claiming to represent the water and electricity departments.
“They should not open their gates or doors before the police or the company or department arrives or verify that they have sent them. Take their car registrations, identity cards or appointment cards and call the police or the company or department they claim to be representing. Remain at a safe distance at all times,” he said.
