Thieves steal batteries and spares from NGO’s
"They must have done something to our alarm system, as they did not set it off."
On Sunday Sanca, The Lowveld Alcohol and Drug Help Centre, and Lifeline’s vehicles were targeted by criminals and robbed of their batteries and spare wheels. Sanca Lowveld director, Ms Marina Erasmus said the incident must have occurred in the early hours of the morning.
“Whoever did this must have been watching our premises. Lifeline rents the premises adjoining ours, and two of their vehicles were also broken into. Two of our vehicles had their batteries stolen.”
She said the vehicles are normally locked up securely and they have sensors for alarms over the area. “They must have done something to our alarm system, as they did not set it off.”
Erasmus added that about a month ago, a radio had been stolen out of a Lifeline vehicle so they had an extra sensor installed. “This is not cheap, as it cost us around R6 000.”
“We are starting our big annual event tomorrow with the build-up activities for IDADAIT (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – June 26). We needed those vehicles to go out into the communities and set up the exhibitions at malls and spazas. It’s our busiest time of the year, where we need our vehicles the most.”
She concluded that the police had responded immediately when they contacted them. “The police told us a syndicate is operating in our area. I just hope they get arrested, as there are many NGOs in this area and none of us can afford these kind of crimes.”
Read more here: Crime hotspots in Mbombela
