Unwanted ‘housesitters’ rob home

POLOKWANE – Some burglars in the city saw their opportunity to make some money and take a nice, relaxing holiday at the cost of one of their victims at the end of December.

According to Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, around 28 December, the police were informed of a house’s security alarm going off and police officials on patrol went to investigate. Upon their arrival, they found two men and a woman who had been living in the house while the owners were away on holiday. “The three broke into the house around 22 December and made themselves at home. They took items in the house from time to time, probably to sell so they could have some cash,” Phala explained.

Join the CPF and help make the Polokwane safer for all

Phala warned this incident could have been avoided had the owners been linked to their community policing forum (CPF). He said where proper CPFs were established, the continuous patrolling of CPF members discouraged burglars.

“We again urge residents to get involved in their communities and be part of the solution. The beginning of a new year brings the opportunity for residents to get involved in their CPF and help in the fight against crime to make the city a safer place,” Phala said.

Phala further said there was a drop in crime in the various sectors over the festive season.

“During the festive season people who reside in the city because of their jobs, left the city to go home for family gatherings in other areas of the country. This made the job of effective policing much easier, which meant crime did not rise significantly,” he explained. He said besides a few stop and searches and occasional arrests for drunken driving and fighting, the incident of the three holidaying burglars was the only one that stood out.