POLOKWANE – Most South Africans are acutely aware of the high crime rate and the probability that they too could fall victim to this scourge.
According to the police, criminals often target their victims by following them and learning their routines. Review asks residents what their take on the police’s claim is.
Rebecka Mabola says she takes her son, Jack with her when she walks to town and experienced incidents where she realised that she was being followed by suspicious looking people. She says she now changes the route she takes to town every now and then.
“At the end of the month, when most people get their pay, there are people who want to rob you of your money. I make sure to use a different path to town every day to ensure I notice when I am followed and that criminals do not know where I am going,” she says.
Andrew Mobelani says he uses a taxi to travel into town every day, so it is not possible for him to change his route. The taxi runs on the same route at the same time every day.
“I make sure I don’t carry anything valuable with me. If the criminals follow me and search me, I will not have anything for them to steal,” he explains.
“I make my living from working in gardens. When I get paid there are people who I know would steal from me, so I make sure I avoid the areas where they are to keep my money safe,” says Simon Mombe, who says he has to walk to town when he wants to work.
Trien Beukes says she likes to walk to town because it is good excercise, but she goes shopping on different days and at different times to avoid being followed and robbed.
“A daily routine gives the criminals an idea of when you will not be at home and then they know when to break into your house. I never stay away too long and never carry many shopping bags. I also do not keep a lot of money on my person. This is how I protect myself,” she says.
Rose Mokwena says at the end of the month she gets paid and she has to go shopping then, but she never goes shopping on the same day every month.
“In most cases I travel with a friend to be safer. Sometimes I send a family member to do my shopping for me. Using public transport makes it difficult to change your route as the police suggests, so I just shop in different places every month,” she says.
Gerda Kritzinger says she often changes her routes when she travels in the city because she gets bored with the same old view every day. “I believe criminals take advantage of people who follow a daily routine and by changing my routine, I get to see new things every day. I like seeing new things. I hardly ever travel the same route twice in a row,” she says.
Jimmy Mafungo is a manager at a shop in the city and says changing your route to and from work is important. He also says changing the times when you travel is also very important.
“As a manager, I know that doing the same thing at the same time every day might put my shop at risk from criminals. I make sure to change my routine every day and always ensure the shop, staff and money are safe from potential robbers.”
