A Kensington resident (75) was found dead in his house by a nurse on March 18.
Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer said, “The complainant, a nurse, alleged that she found the man dead in his house in Clacton Road. He was lying face down on the floor and his hands were tied. He had a piece of cloth in his mouth. The nurse was visiting the man on a daily basis to give him his injections. He was a cancer patient.”
According to the nurse, the man had money and a firearm in a safe and this was taken. Police were called to the scene and they found an Audi TT parked outside the house. “The car keys were thrown in the yard next to the pot plant,” said Const Mashakane.
This is not the first incident reported involving crime against elderly people in the precinct.
The EXPRESS reported that a man (87) and his wife were assaulted in their house in Kensington on February 24.
They were approached by two suspects while in the house. The couple was dragged to the bedroom and tied with shoelaces. The suspects ransacked the house and took jewellery and other valuable items. On February 26 a 69-year-old person living in Kensington was approached by two suspects while in the bedroom.
One of the suspects, who was in possession of a firearm, demanded money from the victim.
The men took cash and a shotgun that was in the safe and fled the scene.
At the time, Const Mashakane urged the community to have a closer relationship with neighbours and safeguard each other, especially the elderly.
She said that if people hear concerning noises emanating from their neighbour’s house, they should call the police just to make sure they are safe.
Recent crimes against the elderly also prompted the I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) to establish a database.
If you are a pensioner, or if you know someone who is a pensioner, Ilka asks that you send them your contact details.
These details will be added to the database.
This will allow Ilka to keep in contact with people and to find out if they are fine.
Call Mrs Lornette Joseph, the chairperson of Ilka, on 083 847 4510 or send an e-mail to chair@kensington.org.za for further information.
