The people of Diepsloot are now living in fear of the boys who allegedly break into homes after midnight scavenging for cellphones, TVs, sound systems and money.
According to online publication, Diepsloot Times, the boys switch off the main electricity supply to the houses before attacking.
“In Ext 7, the residents are used to it. Every midnight the electricity goes off, and the next morning you will hear that a certain family member was attacked. Almost every day, the electricity switches off at 1am, only to come back between 4am and 5am in the morning,” reads part of the article.
Resident Lebogang Maile was quoted as saying that the boys often rape or kill people. Maile accused police of a slow response to calls for help.
The publication also revealed that one suspect attempted to break in at Ext 4, but was repelled by residents and ran away after climbing through the roof.
Diepsloot police spokesperson Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela could neither confirm nor deny the existence of the problem. Mavimbela instead said he could only comment if provided case numbers.
Local DA councillor, Refilwe Mathebula, said the problem of break-ins has been rampant for some time in Diepsloot. Mathebula said she recently donated 15 whistles to community members to blow whenever their houses were under attack. “The idea is to wake people up to come out and defend their neighbours from being attacked. Police members must make night patrols,” said Mathebula.
She identified extensions 4, 7, 9 and 13 as areas where the crime rate was high.
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