Tweedy Park Old Age Home cottage resident Yvonne Beukes (78) was the victim of a burglary on Friday evening during which her hearing aids, an HD decoder and other household items were stolen.
She was visiting a friend and neighbour Heddy Arlow (76) to watch television and have dinner together when access was gained to her home through a panel of the wall of her enclosed porch. The panel was kicked in.
According to Yvonne, the thief, who is known to her, has broken into her cottage, threatened her and held her hostage with a letter opener on two other occasions.
She claims attempts to press charges and obtain a restraining order have been unsuccessful.
On top of the hearing aids and decoder that Yvonne was borrowing from a neighbour, her handbag, which contained her ID card and SASSA card, was also stolen.
AfriForum Neighborhood Watch responded to the scene after Yvonne discovered her lights on and door open upon returning from Heddy’s cottage, and later returned with a chain and lock to lock the porch door that was now broken and without a key.
SAPS responded and took Yvonne’s statement, as well as those of neighbours, and gave her a form to list all the items stolen and their approximate value. On Saturday morning, a forensics team arrived to dust for fingerprints.
“I have to now replace everything that was stolen, and I don’t have the money for that. This is the third time, what are we supposed to do? Someone has to step in at this place,” Yvonne lamented.
ALSO CHECK: Volunteers help Eventide and Red Cross on Mandela Day
She received a panic button from a security provider. It, however, only works within a certain vicinity of a receiver, and by the time security personnel arrived on the scene, the intruder was already gone.
Due to the lack of security at the entrance, it is claimed the gate is locked at 20:00 and opened again at 06:00, which hinders access for emergency responders.
“In the past, we could always leave our doors wide open, it was safe. Now everyone has to lock their doors at all times because it’s no longer safe. You feel like a prisoner in your own home,” Heddy told the Herald.
Comment was requested from the City of Ekurhuleni, as well as the Gauteng Department of Social Development to ascertain which department is responsible for appointing security at the entrance of the facility.
At the time of publication, no response had been received.
ALSO CHECK: WATCH: Dalpark Private School holds Acts of Kindness food drive
