POLOKWANE – After a vehicle, which was earlier stolen in Flora Park, was recovered at the Ga-Rena rental units in Ladanna, residents staying at the complex have raised concern over the lack of security, saying access is a free for all.
This comes after a sedan that was stolen on February 6, was spotted at Ga-Rena the next day as the registration number was circulated on social media platforms.
It is not clear whether or not the person who stole the car is a resident of Ga-Rena. A resident, who did not want to be named, says the security issues stretch back to long before the vehicle was found on the premises.
“Anyone can walk into Ga-Rena and do whatever they wish as security does not scrutinise the people they allow in. There are always security guards on duty but there isn’t really anything they do besides opening the gate for anyone who stops there. They do not even ask where visitors are going. This is a security hazard because this is a residential place and we have children on the premises. Who is going to be liable if my son is snatched and kidnapped while playing outside?”
Speaking on behalf of the Polokwane Housing Association, Robert Maetisa, says three security guards are on duty per shift, but that residents at the complex simply don’t want to comply with security protocol at the premises.
“A few years back, the association installed infrastructure to upgrade security at the complex, particularly with regard to access control. We installed turnstile gates with a biometric system for pedestrians, vehicle gates as well as cameras. The residents vandalised everything and burned down the on-site offices of the association.”
He says that the main task of the security officials is to conduct access control, patrol and other key security protocol but this is difficult to achieve due to the general disregard by residents. According to the security protocol visitors are supposed to report at security, register their vehicle and call the person they are visiting to permit access.
