EVANDER – Burglars are having a ball at the expense of Evander-residents.
Wave upon wave of burglaries (house breakings) are rushing over the town and the burglars have become so bold, they actually prepare and eat meals while the homeowners are still fast asleep in the bedrooms.
Sgt Zukiswa Mxhotyelwa, the spokesman for the Evander Police Station, said these burglaries are a huge concern. New burglary cases are reported weekly, especially at the weekend.
“These housebreakers gain access to the houses mostly through an open window. They will find a way in, even if a window is just remotely ajar.”
According to Sgt Mxhotyelwa, the burglars use something unknown to the police, to sedate those inside the house.
“We have not yet found traces of what is being used, but in some cases, the victims were ill in the morning when they woke up and needed medical care.”
Sgt Mxhotyelwa explained that they had a case where burglars even stole a fridge with all its content from a house while the owner was asleep.
In some cases, the burglars cooked food and ate a meal in the house while the people of the house were fast asleep.
“In another incident, the burglars who were startled dropped a television during a break-in. They returned a second night to collect the tv too.”
She said the community is fed up with these criminals and she fears what the outcome would be if they get a hold of such a burglar.
“Many of the victims do not have insurance that will replace the stolen goods. They work hard and save up to buy an appliance.”
The police suspect that the burglars come from other towns such as eMbalenhle and Kriel and even from Gauteng.
Sgt Mxhotyelwa said the burglars are after valuables such as handbags, and electronic devices such as televisions, entertainment centres, cellphones and laptops.
She suggested that residents mark their possessions in a unique way and in a unique spot known only to you.
“This way you will immediately know if a recovered stolen item belongs to you.”
She also advised residents to keep their windows closed at all times, especially at night or when no one is home.
“If you can, install an alarm and join a security company, keep your animals safe because we do have cases where dogs were poisoned before the burglars hit.”
Sgt Mxhotyelwa believes the burglars also scout out their intended targets before they strike.
“Look out for and report suspicious-looking people, especially when you see an unknown person with a backpack in the street.”
Evander is split into two policing sectors and according to Sgt Mxhotyelwa, the burglary rate has gone down since residents living in sector 1 began to join up with the CPF and police to patrol the neighbourhoods.
The police now want to mobilise those in sector 2 to follow suit.
She invited residents to a Community Policing Forum meeting at the Evander Police Station on Sunday, 11 July where the police hope to share information about the CPF and to elect new members onto the CPF committee.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the CPF can contact Mr Johnny Schnepel on 082 475 5230.
The police also invite residents to an event in the square next to the library on 25 June.
This will be a drugs awareness campaign and will also feature sports against crime.
It will begin at 10:00.
