Nkomazi suffers at the hands of criminals

MALALANE – According to a warning received from Malalane Against Crime (MAC), it seems that people proclaiming to be workers of Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) are defrauding residents of Hectorspruit.

A senior citizen informed MAC that on April 24 someone impersonating an NLM employee, arrived at his house and told him about a device that would save electricity as there would be a 36 per cent increase. He was joined by a man, who told the residents that the installation would require a deposit of R5 000. This impersonator asked for any credit or South African Social Security Agency card, which would then be swiped through a machine they had with them. The homeowner, however, gave them a cheque.

According to him, various of these supposed municipal workers were doing the rounds at homes in town on that specific day. The public is warned to insist on obtaining the names of people purporting to be from NLM, and then to phone the council offices to ensure they are indeed employed by the municipality, before allowing them entry into their homes.

Residents who suspect they might have been victims of this scam, are asked to report it to the SAPS and MAC.

Any photographs taken can be sent to mac.malalane@gmail.com.

Burglary attempts and intrusions are continuing in various parts of Nkomazi, as well as on farms in the vicinity. Farmers have reported continuous movement on their property, especially at night. Residents are asked to ensure their homes are safe, doors and windows locked and are warned not to leave valuables close to a window or in plain sight. These intruders will enter, break-in and roam the properties despite the presence of the owners.

Over the weekend, homeowners in Fish Eagle Bend said they discovered burglars in their garage when they returned home.

The intruders, who seemed quite young, ran away. Businesses have also been broken into over the weekend and a house in Air Street was burgled. Business owners should take note of thieves entering through roofs and breaking safes open.

BUCO Malalane was broken into in the early hours of Monday, April 4.

No staff was on the premises and the perpetrators cut a section of the roof away to enter and steal a small amount of cash, tools and laptops.

These items were, however, found in the bush behind the store soon after. The SAPS are still investigating the matter and no further information was available at time of going to print.

A number of vehicle thefts and hijackings have also occurred in the region, albeit not close to the N4. According to Mr Mel Preddy of MAC, it appears as if a syndicate is operating in the area. Taxis and luxury bakkies are being targeted.

In last week’s edition of Corridor Gazette, it was reported that a suspect who was armed and dangerous was on the loose after he fled from a roadblock on the N4.

When the SAPS stopped a taxi that had been stolen in Magogeni the previous week, driven to KaMhlushwa and run out of petrol, two of the three suspects were arrested.

The third, however, fled the scene and was still on the loose at the time of going to print. His identity is known to the SAPS.

He is believed to be in possession of a firearm and the public is warned not to approach him, but rather inform the authorities.

During a break-in in Komatipoort, also over the weekend, four men who were armed with an AK-47 and a handgun, illegally entered a farm workshop south of the N4 in the area.

It is not known what was taken, but a tractor had recently been stolen in the same area and the modus operandi was similar.

Residents of the Richtershoek/Kaalrug area have also reported attempted break-ins at farm workshops, but it is not clear if these incidents are related.

Farmers especially are advised to take great care to ensure their safety.

Numbers to dial for assistance:

• SAPS Malalane: 013-790-2721/0

• SAPS Komatipoort: 013-793-7321

• MAC: 084-666-2468 or email

mac.malalane@gmail.com