Armed robbers are looting and terrorising
The thieves are armed with pistols and they are seeking cash, jewellery, laptops, cell phones and other electronic equipment
Brazen armed robbers are terrorising locals and looting their homes, leaving in their wake a fearful community. Since the beginning of August a number of home invasions have been reported in Estcourt, some residents say it is concentrated in the Forderville area.
During the most recent case, a group of armed men gained entry into a home in Forderville and held the occupants at gunpoint before fleeing with valuables, including jewellery and electronic equipment. The family pet was also poisoned.
A street away a dog was also poisoned and died on the roadside; suspicions are rife that the same gang of armed robbers attempted to rob this home too.
A family from Forderville whose home was robbed in early August, and who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that they had been keeping tabs on the robberies and have deduced that homes are targeted during 2am and 4am, the thieves are armed with pistols and they are seeking cash, jewellery, laptops, cell phones and other electronic equipment.
They also suspect that locals are working with foreign nationals as a syndicate that is travelling to small towns committing these acts. Their main concern is the lack of feedback or success by police.
“We reported the case to police in early August but nothing has happened since. The police are not doing anything, no one is worried about our safety,” said the resident.
He suggests that police step up patrols, especially in areas identified as hot spots and during the times that robberies have been reported. In addition, the family calls on residents to be vigilant about goods for sale as they may have been stolen from a house robbery and look out for your neighbour’s safety too.
Police spokesperson Captain Charmaine Struwig was asked to comment on the robberies, suggestions and complaints but no response was received at the time of going to print.
