Crime down as winter arrives

Community security forums have experienced a calmer-than-usual week, enjoying a breather while criminals apparently did the same.

Whether it had anything to do with the sudden cold which swept into the city last week was an open question, but a quiet first week of June was reported.

Nelspruit Concerned Citizens (NCC) reported only three incidents since June 1.

“We should not be complaining about this week being so quiet,” said NCC member Mr John Meintjes. “It just shows that criminals were not very active.”

But incidents of housebreaking and remote jamming were reported in Mbombela over the past week.

In the latest incident a man’s neighbour spotted two men sneaking out of his house on Monday morning. They apparently carried two laptops and a camera. The owner was taking a shower at the time. The case was reported to the police but no arrests have been made yet.

A tip-off also led to the discovery of an apparent wire-stripping location on Sunday evening.

NCC received a call from residents in Sonheuwel reporting suspicious activity. They could see flashlights in the veld next to Stanley Street. Upon investigation, NCC members found stripped cables and parts of damaged fences. It was suspected that it was meant to create points of entry into the field.

Mafoko Security assisted NCC in the search but no suspects were found.

On Friday a woman fell victim to remote jamming at Tarentaal Centre. Unfortunately she spotted a suspect rummaging in her vehicle as she was exiting a store.

She said he jumped into an unmarked white Nissan Juke and fled the scene before he could be apprehended. No arrests have been made.

• The missing Mr Steven Roux had not been found at the time of going to print. He went missing in Hazyview on Thursday, where he was supposed to have boarded a bus to Brakpan.

He was reported missing by his family when he failed to arrive at his destination. He might still be in the area.

Anyone with any information which could assist authorities in this case, can contact 073-765-7231.