RESIDENTS of an uMhlanga complex say they are terrified and under siege by criminals. What’s more; there have been more than 30 incidents this year alone of break-ins and trespassing. Since 21 November there have been seven incidents, the most serious of which took place last Monday (1 November).
Richard Edwards, chairman of the Umhlanga Manors Homeowners Forum said criminals are using the sugar cane fields surrounding the complex to hide and using it as an access route to the houses that border the field.
Though the boundary wall is electrified, criminals have used towels, rubber mats and even stood on the insulated fibreglass post to avoid electrocuting themselves.
Surge in complex crime
“Umhlanga Manors has traditionally been an area with very little crime; we have had a period of 3 years where there was not one incident of crime. However, this has changed, and this year we have seen a huge surge in crime,” he explained.
The fields which have been identified by the police and the Durban North/uMhlanga CPF as one of the access routes are under the management of Tongaat Hulett and is part of the Ridgeside development.
Ridgeside is a four-phased development that consists of 140 hectares of land within a rough triangle created by Umhlanga Rocks Drive, the M4, and the M41.
“We are under siege from these criminals and the residents living in the complexes that border the Ridgeside fields are absolutely terrified. The criminals are using the open fields on Ridgeside, which is now a haven for criminals and a springboard for criminal activities in the greater uMhlanga area,” he said.
Resident’s security is important
Haden Searles, chairman of the Durban North/uMhlanga CPF said they have identified one criminal through CCTV footage who has trespassed and robbed houses on the complex.
“The criminals using the surrounding fields as a means to go undetected are not from a syndicate but are opportunists. We’ve done a number of patrols but once the suspect runs into the field, it’s virtually impossible to spot him.
“We’ve also uncovered a stormwater drain where a number of items had been stashed after a robbery. This has happened before where criminals leave their loot in servitudes and come back to the area once it is quieter,” Searles said.
Tongaat Hulett has taken security measures
Tongaat Hulett is currently farming the area adjacent to The Manors, and the company is developing Precincts 1 and 3, of its Ridgeside Development.
Michelle Jean-Louis, communications executive for the company said during the past week, the company was made aware of the increased levels of crime, at the Manors.
“We have requested that the security company responsible for crime prevention at the Ridgeside development, increase the extent of patrols within the nearby forest and along the M4.
“In addition, in the past month the company arranged for the clearing of overhanging vegetation along the fence line. Tongaat Hulett has already installed three coils of razor wire along the boundary and the business has installed 2 km of fence along the M4. This fence is patrolled every week in order to ensure that any breaks are repaired. Additional measures along the M4 boundary with the forest are being investigated,” she said.
Jean Louis added the company will be weeding the fence line and clearing the razor coils as well as mowing the vegetation to create a clear area adjacent to the boundary.
