WATCH: Open Door hit for sixth time in two weeks

THE staff and management at the Open Door Crisis Care Centre were outraged after its premises was hit by robbers for the sixth time in two weeks.

Thora Mansfield, the director of the local non-profit organisation, said that the day-to-day workings of the centre have been greatly affected by the onslaught of robberies. “I’ve just had enough. The staff are traumatised and they have to go and work in these offices and we need it to feel absolutely safe for people that come through here to receive counselling. Thankfully the robberies happen after hours,” she said.

In the most recent incident, the alarm cables as well as electrical cables that feed power to a few of the offices in the main building were cut and an air conditioner was vandalised. “We set the alarm and came to work this morning and a few of our PCs weren’t working and fridges that carry stock were off and had defrosted. It was only later that we discovered the cause. The criminals know exactly where all the cabling is and what they must cut,” said Mansfield.

“Our work in the community is too important and we can’t stop what we are doing. There are just too many important issues that need to be dealt with and we just have to carry on. We have to rely on the support from the surrounding companies now as we are not in a position to replace what is broken and destroyed and the support that we have had so far has been amazing,” said Mansfield.

DUYS Engineering will install new burglar guards in the building, ADT will continue to up the security around the premises and PG Glass has offered to replace the windows that were smashed in the previous break ins. “We are in desperate need of an electrician to come through and help us sort out this most recent problem and we are in need of two new computers, to replace those stolen in a previous robbery,” pleaded Mansfield.

To make a cash or in-kind donation to the Pinetown-based organisation, contact 031 709 2679.