Gardener nabs burglary suspect
“I went home and noticed that the suspect had gained entry through the palisade fence and had broke the burglar bars. My watch, camera and computer modem were recovered. My house has been burgled six times since we moved here in 2004,” said Mr Mafata.
“I was happy to help. I would do it again if it were to happen again. There is nothing that irks me more than a thief who lives by stealing property that others have worked hard to attain.”
Determination does not begin to describe Mr Pilot Shabangu, a garden assistant who helped arrest a suspect after a burglary at his employer’s Observatory home.
Mr Shabangu chased the suspect and brought him back to the house, before the police and security company were alerted.
“I was working in the garden when I noticed a man jumping out of a window and going through the palisade fence, which he had bent. I ran after him,” said Mr Shabangu.
He said as he returned with the suspect, another person who works in the house, known as Maki, had pressed the panic button to alert the security company.
“When the police arrived, we realised the suspect had broken the burglar bars off the bedroom window and had been inside the house. The suspect was in possession of Mr Mafata’s camera and watch,” said Mr Shabangu.
The home-owner, Mr Mongadi Mafata, said he was in the Johannesburg CBD when he received the call from his security company.
“I went home and noticed that the suspect had gained entry through the palisade fence and had broke the burglar bars. My watch, camera and computer modem were recovered. My house has been burgled six times since we moved here in 2004,” said Mr Mafata.
He added that it was the first time a suspect had been caught for breaking into his home. “I must commend Pilot for risking his life. The police and crime scene experts were here within three hours, taking fingerprints. But I was shocked to hear the suspect has appeared in court 15 times before for various crimes,” said Mr Mafata.
He called for the police to have greater visibility in the area. “Maybe if we could have plain-clothed officers patrolling the area, things could get better. It could help in their intelligence gathering,” said Mr Mafata. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received from Yeoville SAPS.
