Plots, farms targeted by robbers
Homeowners on smallholdings in Dalmada say their biggest fear is becoming victims of home burglaries, with one woman falling victim three times over the past four months.
POLOKWANE – Homeowners on smallholdings in Dalmada say their biggest fear is becoming victims of home burglaries, with one woman falling victim three times over the past four months.
As a result of this concern, the community policing forum (CPF) in the area (sector 8), is conducting daily operations with the assistance of foot patrollers.
Joan Muller, whose house was burgled three times over the past four months, said that in an attempt to avoid being burgled again, she relocated to another smallholding in the area.
Other complaints that were posted on the CPF’s Facebook page included incidents of fences being cut, robbery out of vehicles and the theft of poultry.
“I thought that moving would be the answer, but on the second day in my new home, my neighbour’s home was burgled,” Muller said. CPF sector 8 chairperson, Buks Korff called on everyone to get involved with their CPF and to assist by reporting suspicious people or activities.
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said there had been no reports of burglaries in the area for the past month.
He urged people to report such incidents, as the police would otherwise not be aware that there was a problem in a certain area.
He shared the following safety tips to reduce the risk of burglaries:
• Ensure all windows and doors are properly closed and locked when you leave home.
• Gates must be locked at all times.
• If possible, install an alarm system.
• Ensure you have a good relationship with your neighbours, so that you will be in a position to support and help each other.
• Inform your neighbors when you go on holiday.
• Ensure ladders and other items that can be used to gain entry to the property are locked away when not in use.
• Close the curtains as soon as you switch on your lights, so that criminals cannot see inside your house.
• Inform the police of empty or vacant houses, as they are hiding places for criminals.
Phala said people should report any suspicious vehicles (try to document the registration number) or people to the police immediately.
He also emphasised the importance of getting involved with the local CPF and having the contact number of the sector policing manager of the area.
The Polokwane police station can be contacted at (015) 290 6531.
