POLOKWANE – Local lawyer Pfunzo Phosiwa of Phosiwa Attorneys has advised a journalist, Moyahabo Mabeba to approach legal counsel to assist with the multiple housebreak-in cases he has opened at Seshego Police Station, all of which have yielded no outcome.

Mabeba, who feels let down by the police, has contemplated taking matters into his own hands to recover valuable items stolen from his home.

With permission from the family, he recently conducted a search at the home of a suspect near his house in Seshego, Zone 2 but found none of his belongings.

Over a 15-year period, Mabeba has opened eight cases at Seshego Police Station, receiving only case numbers and no substantive investigations, he told BONUS.

He claims that even after identifying individuals in possession of stolen cellphones, the police failed to make arrests.

“In the first housebreak-in on June 6, 2010, they stole a laptop, sound system, TV set, and a camera lens. A police officer who came to register the case was unprofessional. The case ended nowhere,” Mabeba explained.

He believes crime in Seshego has spiralled out of control, with criminals taking advantage of police inefficiency.

“I somehow get a sense that these criminals are working with the police, or that law enforcement officials are afraid of lawbreakers. Seshego is one of the crime hotspots where serious crimes are committed day and night,” he said.

On October 26, criminals again broke into his home and stole valuable items, despite enhanced security measures.

During the first weekend of November, another burglary occurred, which Mabeba described as the worst yet.

“I was in Mokopane, and upon return, I found my kitchen burglar door unlocked. My plasma TV and laptop were gone, along with vehicle spare keys, cameras, flash drives, sports bags, a decoder, clothes, groceries, toiletries, cash, and other minor items.”

Although housebreak-in cases were immediately opened, Mabeba spent two weeks waiting for the fingerprints team, who never arrived.

“The investigating officer later told me there was no point in the fingerprint team coming because I had contaminated the crime scene,” he said.

It was only on Monday that the police promised to continue investigations, focusing on suspected drug-dealing involvement by the presumed perpetrators.

Out of frustration, Mabeba said he has considered personally pursuing the suspected criminals, whom he believes are drug addicts in his neighbourhood.

Phosiwa emphasised that legal assistance could provide a safer and more effective route.

“A legal representative could help Mabeba write to the National Prosecuting Authority to probe the matter and potentially prosecute those responsible,” he said.

He added that his firm recently handled a similar case where a client was reportedly raped and the matter was initially overlooked.

“We are pleased to announce that the case is now before the courts,” he said.

Seshego police spokesperson Sgt Ali Maluleke did not respond at the time of going to print.