HOMEOWNERS are warned to be aware that there have been incidents of house robberies which police claim have been committed by individuals posing as either municipal or Eskom wokers on the pretense of checking electricity and water meters.
According to Colonel Thembeka Mbhele from provincial SAPS, individuals wearing eThekwini Municipality overalls have convinced the house occupants that they are there to check water or electricity meters.
“They allegedly hold the occupants up and take household appliances and flee the scene. Similar cases have been reported in and around Durban. We are appealing to house-owners to take extra precautions and verify the identity of anyone who comes to their house for any work-related issues,” said Mbhele.
The police urge residents to be aware that employees who read electricity meters do not go inside to read the meter and that Telkom will only go to the house if a fault has been reported by the owner of the house.
“Owners are to please inform anyone in the house not to open for any stranger unless they informed the person prior about the repairs that are to be done during their absence. It is also advisable that the repairs be done when the houseowner is present and able verify the identity of a person who wants to do repairs,” said Mbhele.
