What used to feel like a safe haven for Ward 37 councillor Ivan Naidoo is now nothing but an uncomfortable space amid intrusion at his Palm Ridge home.
A case of theft out of his car has been opened at Eden Park SAPS after the distraught councillor had about R3 000 worth of tools stolen from his car while parked in his garage.
Captured on his neighbour’s CCTV camera in the early hours of April 24, a suspect is seen loitering outside his place before jumping over the fence.
“While getting ready to go for prayer in the morning, I was about to take the car out of the garage. They got into my car while it was idling, opened my car boot and emptied it. I didn’t realise tools were gone until I got back from prayer. I immediately drove down the road to find those suspects, but I found none of them around,” said Naidoo.
He reiterated that the increase in drug use has contributed immensely to criminal elements in the area.
“We are not safe in our own environment, residents feel extremely unsafe because we have had batteries and wheels stolen. These individuals cannot get the income to fix their habit and now they are stealing from people,” Naidoo said.
Naidoo said he is concerned for his safety since they were back in full swing with late-night Council meetings.
The recent ordeal follows two more incidents, which previously left Naidoo shaken and feeling victimised.
He told the RECORD that while being a PR councillor, during a time when the area was plagued by power outages, burning tyres were thrown on his driveway.
“I have also had a bullet come through my roof during the rioting. It came through the roof and hit the couch I normally sit on when I watch TV. As much as we want to serve the community, we are putting our lives at risk,” Naidoo said.
He also said the reason he opened the case was that when people don’t report such cases and think they are overlooked, the area is considered crime-free.
Eden Park SAPS’ station commander Lt-Col Attie Engelbrecht told the RECORD they will be looking into the matter.
