Derelict house in Meyersdal proves to be haven for criminal activity

Lizelle Visagie and Dora Mabunzi were victims of a house robbery in Taljaard Street in Meyersdal on March 12.

“I was on my way to take a shower when I heard Dora screaming. At first, I thought it was just a bug or something, but when walked out of my bedroom I walked into two men armed with knives,” explained Lizelle.

At around 09:00 the men entered the Visagies property from an abandoned property next door.

An hour of trauma

They tied both Visagie and Mabunzi’s hands and feet with electric cords and closed their faces with the bed linen.

“I remember having this calm feeling over my body, but Dora panicked and screamed. One of the men hit her and they also tried to put a cloth over her mouth,” said Visagie.

She said the robbers went through the house and stole various items such as liquor, a cellphone, a bottle full of R5 coins, a Nintendo, bags, and perfume. The suspects also took all of Visagie’s jewellery and all of the cash which was in her purse.

“I remember asking them to please leave my ID and take everything else, and they actually just took the cash out of my purse,” Visagie said.

The suspects then asked Visagie to show them the way to the safe.

She kept on telling them that she does not have the keys to the safe and that it is with her husband.

The men told Visagie that they will wait for her husband to bring the keys.

Mabunzi and Visagie were left tied up in the main bedroom while the suspects waited for her husband to arrive.

“I wiggled myself loose and untied Dora. I then managed to unlock the door in my bedroom, which led to the back yard.”

Before Visagie and Mabunzi ran to the front gate they saw the suspects sitting at their bar enjoying a drink and eating biltong.

“I told Dora to run,” she said.

When they got to the front gate, she alerted the security guard and also asked him for his cellphone so that she can call her husband.

The guard then saw one of the suspects running down the street.

ALSO READ: Owners of abandoned properties in Meyersdal must come forward

“Within minutes Fox Security, CPS Security, Brackendowns SAPS and Brackendowns CPF were on scene.”

Visagie said it was the longest hour of her life.

Manbunzi was taken to South Rand Hospital and a trauma councillor also assisted her.

Empty house poses a crime risk

The Visagie’s neighbour suddenly died in 2020 and since then his house were left abandoned.

“The suspects must have been watching us for a while because they actually knew when to strike,” Visagie said.

She said they used a pole to climb over the electric fencing and later authorities found some of her husband’s whiskey inside of the abandoned property.

They also found a red box with a hammer inside.

“This property is a big safety hazard and one could see that it is being used as a safe haven for the homeless. About a year ago suspects also gained access from the abandoned property into another property,” she said.

Message to others

“I feel it is my duty to let people know about the dangers of living next to an abandoned property.”

She said residents should be vigilant especially when living next to or near abandoned properties.

“Make use of alarm systems, beams, cameras and have a silent alarm installed. When in a dangerous situation always stay calm and do what the suspects ask of you. Do not try to be a hero.”

Visagie also said that residents should also keep a list of emergency numbers.

ALSO READ: Owners of abandoned properties in Meyersdal must come forward