Vacant Brakpan Red Cross Eventide Old Age Home targeted by thieves

The closure of Eventide has left the property vulnerable, with criminals already breaking in and stripping parts of the building.

1 hour ago

Charma du Plessis 2 minutes read

Frank Ferreira from Secure Tech Security beside the pipes where taps were removed. PHOTO: Charma du Plessis

The Brakpan Red Cross Eventide Old Age Home closed its doors in April, leaving the premises vulnerable to burglaries and thefts.

As previously reported by the Brakpan Herald, the closure of the home left families scrambling to find alternative care for their elderly loved ones, with residents relocated to other facilities at short notice.

The door to the hall was broken to gain access, but nothing was stolen. PHOTO: Charma du Plessis

The closure also raised fears that the vacant building could suffer the same fate as other neglected properties in the town, which were stripped and vandalised after being left unsecured.

Many residents said it was heartbreaking to see the town deteriorate and appealed for the Eventide building to be secured and given a meaningful purpose rather than becoming another target for thieves and vandals.

The taps from this bathtub were also stolen, but the bar proved too difficult to remove and was left behind. PHOTO: Charma du Plessis

Those fears have, however, now materialised, with the property already falling victim to criminals.

In the time since the closure, there have reportedly been five break-ins, with many items stripped from the building and stolen, including taps and cables, with damage to the building as a result.

In some cases, taps were ripped from the sinks, leaving behind damaged hoses. PHOTO: Charma du Plessis

Desiree Louw, who lives in a house on the property and looks after the premises, said it has been extremely concerning knowing that criminals are breaking into the property where she lives.

In the meantime, she has attempted to make it difficult for criminals to access the premises by placing heavy furniture in front of entry points, but this has not deterred them from stripping the building.

Cables and electrical circuitry have been stripped from the building by thieves. PHOTO: Charma du Plessis

Intruders have broken into two separate wings twice each, and the hall once. Nothing of value was found in the hall, so the only damage was to the door they broke to gain access.

Louw is concerned that the building’s vacant state could make it a target for further criminal activity. She has consulted security services about installing an alarm system and arranging regular patrols around the premises.