Criminals use jamming devices to break into homes

After an investigation into frequent house-breakings was launched by police, three suspects were arrested in Paulpietersburg. The suspects were in possession of house-breaking instruments, for example an angle grinder and a few other items. A big concern was a jamming device that was found among the items.
These devices are also known as ‘interference generators’ or ‘signal suppressors’, but most commonly known as ‘jammers’. Interference generators operate within a specific radius at the frequency of the device whose operation is to be disturbed. These devices are used to ‘jam’ cellphone link networks, which in turn influence house security alarms or deactivate the alarm completely.

Not only do perpetrators use jamming devices to access homes, but there is another device that is used for car break-ins. Suspects in car break-ins are rarely caught, making it one of the most common crimes in the country.
The jamming device, which looks very similar to a remote control and is usually hidden in a cigarette box, is set to the same frequency as your car remote. Once you exit your vehicle, the criminals press the button, effectively blocking your remote control from locking the vehicle.

According to the Electronic Communications Act, as gazetted by government:
Control of possession of radio apparatus:
32. (1) No person may possess any radio apparatus unless he or she is –
(a) in possession of a radio frequency spectrum licence granted in terms of this Chapter; or
(b) exempted as prescribed in terms of section 31(6).
(2) The Authority may, subject to this Act, the related legislation and other applicable law, enter onto property for purposes of inspecting radio apparatus in accordance with subsection (3).

35. (1) No person may use, supply, sell, offer for sale or lease or hire any type of electronic communications equipment or electronic communications facility, including radio apparatus, used or to be used in connection with the provision of electronic communications, unless such equipment, electronic communications facility or radio apparatus has, subject to subsection (2), been approved.

39. Radio Reception Blocking Devices:
(1) No person may be in possession of a radio reception blocking device, also known as a radio jamming device.
(2) The provisions of sub regulation (1) do not apply to any member of the security services as defined in section 1 of the Act as to who is required to possess a radio reception blocking device for a lawful purpose and in the execution of his or her functions only where it is possessed and used in line with a formal agreement between the Authority and the security services.

Police are investigating other cases that may link the suspect to several other house-breakings.

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