SEVERAL Collard Road residents say they are at their wit’s end over a home that has been ‘hijacked’ by vagrants and thieves. The fully furnished home has been stripped down to the bare essentials by thieves. According to Brian Daish, chairman of Greenwood Park Community Police Forum sub forum 4, sector 3, the home is currently being wound up by an executor of the estate, however, no solutions have been forthcoming.
“It’s been a huge problem for residents living in the area and I’ve been trying to get information to find out who owns the home. The home was in immaculate condition, pristine even, but in less than year, thieves have stolen everything imaginable. All the electrical cables have been stripped, the light fittings, metal pipes, windows and other items have been pilfered,” he said.
When Northglen News visited the property, a bed, stolen from one of the rooms was abandoned on the front lawn because it was too heavy to carry. Thieves had also tried to steal the wooden entrance door to the home but were unsuccessful.
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“There is also a vehicle parked in the garage which has had the engine stolen from it. The residents in the neighbouring properties have also been affected by the thieves who have stolen laptops and other items. We’ve also found whoonga (also known as nyaope) in several rooms and fear this may become a drug haven. We really are at our wit’s end. Greenwood Park police have done everything they can but it really has gotten out of hand,” he said.
One of the neighbours (who did not want to be named) on Collard Road, said she constantly hears breaking glass at night as thieves steal more items.
“Ultimately we’d love to see someone move in just to secure the home. It’s a beautiful home and to see what has happened to it is heartbreaking. We’ve had a laptop stolen from my property and I’ve caught the guys living in the home watching me paint. All we want is to find a lasting solution,” she said.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said it was deeply concerning the home was now a ‘springboard for criminal activity’.
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