DEAR Editor,-
Recently I was working in my study and let the dogs in because it was getting cold, windy and was raining hard. At 1.35pm, I decided to feed the dogs and as I walked into the scullery just off the kitchen, I saw a man walk past! He didn’t see me, so I peered round the door to see his face pressed against the window, looking into my kitchen.
Because my house is completely walled, with neighbours behind me and to the left, but sugar cane fields everywhere else, I was more angry than scared. There is razor wire on top of the wall, which means he had to deliberately, and with intent, climb over all of this.
I opened the front door, left the security door locked and called the dogs. I could see that, although unarmed, he would be much stronger than me, so I asked him in a loud, angry voice what he was doing on my property. He approached the security door and facing him, I wielded a knife I had picked up.
He pretended he couldn’t hear or speak, gesturing to badly-bleeding scratches on his thigh, obviously hoping I would open up to help him. The thing is, he had gone to great lengths to get into my garden, so I ordered him to leave, saying I would be letting my dogs out and calling the armed response.
Strange that when I began to turn the security door key, the man who ‘could not hear’ turned and ran, gesturing wildly that he could not get out. Having no empathy, I shouted “You got in, so I’m sure you can get out”. I was right, he got out, though I bet with more scratches than before.
Chubb Armed Response arrived and the guard at the gate had told them he had seen the man, went off and promptly came back with the perpetrator in tow. Still gesturing he could not hear or speak, he wrote on an envelope (in perfect English!) that he was sorry , but was only looking for a place to sleep. Yet I know he had heard and understood me earlier.
I wanted to press charges, at the very least for trespassing, but the SAPS told me he had written down that he attended St Martin de Porres School, so they were taking him back to see why he was out. I tried to point out that having scaled a 6ft wall with razor wire, it was unlikely that it was just on the off-chance of finding a place to sleep. Why did he think he could find a place to sleep at my house, when he could not see into it until he climbed the wall? I even suggested he could be a scout for a gang intending to rob in the area, but the SAPS took him away and I doubt I will hear anything of it again.
I photographed the man who invaded my space and security because I think people should know who he is and be wary of him. I don’t believe his intentions were good at all! He tried to make himself look small, innocent and defenceless, but is actually strong and does not look like he has lived a hard, tough life. His written English was good, showing he is educated and intelligent.
LESLEY GREYLING
Umtentweni
