Orchards a crime hotspot
Orchards residents complain about the increase in crime in the area.
Residents of Orchards, Akasia, say crime in the area has gotten out of hand.
“We may have the most involved community and policing forums in the north, but that doesn’t stop the criminals from taking over,” a resident told Rekord on Tuesday.
During the past week, it seemed residents were plagued by a series of burglaries and break-ins.
On social media, a resident told of a break-in in Smithers Street last week Friday, the second time her home had been the target of burglars.
Khathu Matidza, another resident, told Rekord that during another burglary in his street, burglars made off with three of his neighbour’s bicycles.
“Last week, they stole three bicycles out of my neighbour’s yard. One of the bicycles was recovered later on.”
Matidza said he had become more sensitive to crime because he had been a victim of a burglary.
“They [burglars] broke into my house a few years ago, while we [family] were sleeping. They stole my TV and other items from the house,” he said.
“I woke up the next morning to find my front door open and realised the burglars could have easily killed us all in our sleep. They could even have raped my daughter and wife.”
Matidza said the idea of another break-in or burglary frightened him.
“I’m on the community WhatsApp group in my area where I am kept informed of what is happening in the neighbourhood.”
He said it was useful to be part of the neighbourhood watch group to know where and when criminals strike.
“Patrol groups use this information to keep a lookout and sometimes even catch offenders or recover stolen goods.”
Crime hotspots had previously been pointed out and it seemed Orchards, especially, had more attempted, armed and house robberies than the other areas in Akasia.
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