CPF beefs up security at Deneys Conradie

Members of the Sector Four CPF, as well as the Western Extension community, have beefed up security around Deneys Conradie Residentia, in Railway Avenue, following a spite of criminal activity plaguing the residents.

On August 18, the City Times reported that the facility’s parking area had been breached on numerous occasions, resulting in wheels being stolen from vehicles as well as tools being taken from a parked bakkie.

At the time, caretaker Siva Pillay told the paper that criminals also attempted to steal a motorcycle that was parked inside a locked shed.

Criminals again targeted the block of flats, which houses 110 elderly, this time allegedly conning residents out of R2 000.

“An Indian man with gold teeth, gained entry to the premises and went door-to-door claiming to have excess stock of daily essentials, such as oil, sugar and coffee, at below retail prices,” said Lingie Ramsamy, one of the residents.

“Given the rising costs of living, we all jumped at the specials on offer and placed orders with the man.

“Another resident volunteered to collect the money and the chap promised to deliver the goods on August 12.”

It is alleged that on his return, the suspect followed a female resident to her flat after requesting something to drink.

“From what we know, he apparently slipped into a neighbouring unit and stole jewellery, which was inside a drawer in the resident’s room,” said Ramsamy.

“He then followed the woman into her flat and there he forcibly removed her rings from her fingers.

“The resident was in shock and unable to sound the alarm.”

According to Ramsamy, the man, speaking in a Durban accent, returned to the car park where residents had converged to collect their groceries, counted the money and asked that the gate be opened for the waiting truck.

“Once the gate was open, he ran to a Renault Kwid that was waiting outside and sped off.”

Alfie Koekemoer, chairman of Sector four CPF, and his team responded to the resident’s distress call.

“There is no real-time surveillance at the flats. That is why we, as a community, banded together to install CCTV cameras, which will monitor both the entrances and parking area,” he said.

“Hopefully the additional security measures will prevent future criminal attacks on the facility, while giving the residents peace of mind.”

The cameras will be monitored by the CPF.

Koekemoer also put out a request for any member of the community who would be willing to sponsor airtime for the system on a monthly basis.

For more information contact Alfie on 084 490 1254.

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