Residents speak out about security concerns at hospital

“When reading the article about the story of Michael King, it reminded me of my experience. I also drive a Fortuner and on visiting the hospital one day, the security guard had asked me to park as close to the boom gate as possible so he could watch my car as Fortuners are regularly stolen from that parking lot,” said Fourways resident Lisa Peche.

Karen Brown from Fourways echoed the same tune as she described how her Toyota Hilux was stolen from the hospital’s parking lot as well.

“On 9 September last year, I admitted my daughter into the hospital and on returning to my car [I found that it] was no longer there. I was told by the security guard at the exit that he had just seen it being driven out following a Toyota Fortuner. He informed me that there was nothing he could do to stop it as it was tailgated out too quickly,” she said.

As with Michael King’s vehicle, there is also video footage of this incident. Brown’s vehicle was also locked and the access card and car keys were in her handbag. “On discussions with the nurses in my daughter’s ward, I was told that my vehicle was not the first one to be stolen that year,” she added.

“I have now become ‘Mrs Paranoia’ and now lock my car with an additional steering lock. To date, my vehicle has still not been recovered,” said Brown.

Jane Lamprey, the media liason officer at the hospital, stated that they are aware of the theft incidents and are continually looking for ways to improve the security.

“We work with the Douglasdale police to keep abreast of the latest trends in vehicle theft, and have implemented three significant changes in our security measures since the beginning of January,” said Lamprey.

The victims noted that they did not open cases at the Douglasdale Police Station pertaining to these instances.