Maud Street residents in Florida woke up on October 9 to a noise, only to discover their gate motor was missing.

“It was around 01:30,” said Bothwell Chononesana, who rents the main house on the property.

“At first, I thought it was the curtains making a noise, as I had left the window open and the wind was blowing.

“I quickly realised the noise was coming from outside and when I switched on my bedside lamp, it abruptly stopped.”

Chononesana said he pulled the curtains away just in time to see someone sprinting toward a car parked across the road, and the gate standing open.

“I woke my neighbour, and we went to investigate together.”

Homeowner Anthony Setlogelo, who lives in a cottage on the property, said that after being awoken, they went to the front gate to investigate.

“The gate motor was gone, and the gate had been lifted off the rails,” he said.

Setlogelo immediately tried to report the incident to the Florida police.

“I tried both phone numbers listed on the website. I received a notification that the one number does not exist, so I called the other number, which just rang.”

He added that he then tried calling 10111, but once again, the phone just rang.

“We eventually gave up and went to sleep,” he said.

“I tried the next morning again and had the same results in trying to call Florida police,” he said.

“Luckily, 1011 worked, and I was able to report the incident.

“Police responded quickly, and I proceeded to give my detailed statement.

“Once the officer had taken the statement and handed it to me to sign, I realised the officer had made a mistake, and I asked him to fix it before I signed, which he did.

“I was told we would receive a case number via SMS.”

Setlogelo said he received a call a few hours later from the police officer, inquiring about the serial number of the gate motor.

“I did not know the serial number and was informed that police could not register a case if there was no serial number.

“I visited the police station the next day, armed with the original receipt for the gate motor, and was once again – very rudely – informed that the police would not open a case without a serial number for the gate motor, which was not indicated on the receipt.”

The Roodepoort Record approached district communications co-ordinator Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlale, who directed questions to Florida station commander Colonel Frans Marweshe.

The Record sent questions pertaining to the police’s refusal to register a case on the basis of not having a serial number, and the alleged rude treatment of the complainant to Marweshe on October 15.

He stated in response on October 20 that any member of the community who is not satisfied with the services or is not treated professionally should contact the Vispol Commander on 082 411 9922.

Marweshe further insisted that Florida Police Station’s telephone lines are fully operational, adding that should anyone struggle to get hold of the police, they can contact the relief commander on duty on 071 675 7145 or the detective commander on duty on 082 319 9563.

“About the serial numbers, a case can still be registered without the complainant providing the serial number. Serial numbers are important, and complainants are advised to file them in a safe place.”

Marweshe also shared the Florida sector vehicle telephone numbers:

• Sector 1: 071 675 7145
• Sector 2: 071 675 7145
• Sector 3: 071 675 7145

He said residents are also welcome to contact him directly on 071 675 6557 and make an appointment to see him.