We have been in Randfontein for six years, and have had three unwelcome visitors.
The first was a child or small person who gained access to the granny flat by breaking a window, and stealing electrical equipment. Luckily no one was at home.
The second was a man who jumped over the wall and started ripping copper water pipes off the outside wall. When I saw him walk past a window, I ran out and chased him away. He went down the road to another house and attempted to steal items from there. A domestic worker saw him and raised the alarm. He was arrested and released on bail, and has not been seen since.
The third event was a man who drove up to my gate at 9.20am, took out a pickaxe head and started breaking the lock off the gate. I shouted at him and he raced away in a silver saloon car.
So three out of four crimes have been prevented just by vigilant householders.
Keep an eye on your own and your neighbours’ houses and more crimes will be prevented.