Former Laerskool Voorbrand teacher Charlene Momberg (69) is traumatised after a spate of burglaries in her house, which occurred at least five times in five months.
Momberg, who has been a teacher for 40 years, said the first burglary took place on September 7 and then on October 6 and December 8 last year.
This year, the incident took place on February 12 and 13. This time, the criminals gained access to the house by removing the roof slates. She also mentioned that she knows who is behind these burglaries and has alerted the police.
Momberg has installed security gates in each door of her Chrisville house and razor wire in the ceiling to curb these burglaries; however, she feels defeated as they always find another way to get in.
“I don’t know what to do because I have put razor wire all over my yard. I used to accommodate people in my backyard and I believe they are the ones who are stealing from me.
“No arrests have been made. I sometimes sleep in my car because I don’t know what they will do if they find me in the house. I would also at times sleep at my friend’s place,” she said.
Besides home appliances and clothes that have been stolen, her fence and gate have been previously stolen.
Deon Pretorius, who is close to Momberg, said she is severely traumatised by the latest burglaries and needs therapy.
Booysens SAPS communications officer Capt Lorraine van Emmerik said the detectives are still doing suspect tracing and hasn’t gotten any feedback from them yet.