FOLLOWING a recent spate of crime in which the modus operandi by criminals is to gain access to a home by impersonating technicians, police are educating the public on the procedures generally undertaken by authentic parastatal or municipal workers.
‘It has come to the attention of the police that house robberies are being committed by people who pose as workers from either the municipality or Eskom, claiming to check electricity meters or other problems,’ said SAPS Colonel Thembeka Mbhele.
He said these people may wear municipal overalls or uniforms, and convince the house occupants that they are there to check either water or electricity meters, before robbing them.
‘We appeal to residents to take extra precautions and to verify the identity of anyone who comes to their houses for any work related issues,’ he said.
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Safety rules to remember
Col Mbhele offers the following golden safety rules to homeowners:
• Employees who read electricity meters do not go inside the home to read the meter
• Telkom will only come to the house if a fault was reported by the owner of the house.
• Owners must inform anyone in the house (ie domestic workers or staff) not to open doors and gates for strangers, unless they have been informed about the visit by the homeowner.
• Wherever possible, repairs should be undertaken at a time when the homeowner is physically present and is able to verify the identity of a person who want to enter the premises.
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