The onset of Covid-19 has changed the lives of people in South Africa in a dramatic way, shaping the behaviour of law-abiding citizens and criminals alike.
While Saps and local community policing forums have revealed a dramatic drop in crime in the region since the strict five-week lockdown, criminals are adaptable and still finding ways to exploit opportunities.
Petty theft such as washing being stolen off of clothes lines, wheels being stolen and cars left on bricks and attempted break-ins while people were in their homes were some of the recent crimes reported.
Neighbourhood watch groups believe the drop in crime has been driven by the closure of bars and clubs, lack of large public events, and robbery and burglary being made more difficult by people staying at home.
Ballito Neighbourhood Watch (BNW) said crime was not altogether gone.
“Three vehicle break-ins on Zen Drive, together with an attempted vehicle break-in on Edna Road were our more serious incidents,” said BNW committee member Jack Abrahams.
The burglar on Edna Road was captured and took security officers to a nearby hideout where more stolen items were found.
BNW residents also reported break-ins and attempted break-ins on their properties in the early hours of the morning.
Salt Rock Neighbourhood Watch reported eight house incidents during lockdown.
Col Santha Moodley of Tongaat Saps said apart from some incidents of petty theft, the largest number of infractions were confinement protocols being broken.
“Extra visibility by our officers has helped keep crime to a manageable level,” said Moodley.
Community members believed drug addiction was driving the petty crime.
“Addicts who cannot go out or travel to get what they need will resort to theft as a means to fund their habits,” said a Westbrook resident.
Tongaat community policing forum (CPF) chairman Nazir Sadack maintained that while crime had not been very serious, residents need to continue reporting incidents.
According to police minister Bheki Cele comparing the first week of lockdown to the same period in 2019 the number of murders has dropped from 326 to 94 while rape cases dropped from 699 to 101.
There has also been a significant reduction in serious and violent crimes recorded.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday defended the ban on the sale of alcohol saying that its use is proven to be linked to “an increase in violent crime, motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies and results in full emergency rooms and hospitals.”
The ban on the sale of alcohol will still remain in place during Stage 4 lockdown.
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