With the festive season drawing closer, burglars have set out to do their shopping behind closed doors.
Seven business burglaries were reported throughout eMalahleni from October 14 to 16.
A business in Stevenson Street was broken into on October 14. Burglars were able to pry open the rear door to the business and steal a number of items including petty cash, laptop and Samsung batteries. That same day a tavern in Main Street was broken into and burglars made off with three plastic chairs and two steel tables as well as a basin.
Two businesses owned by the same owner, Ms Nokuthula Nkosi, were broken into on October 14 and 15. The first was Atlas Finance situated in the Joshua Doore Centre.
Burglars were able to gain access to the business and steal a radio and 10 litres of petrol. The second burglary took place at Motocab Auto Doctor in the Central Business District. Burglars broke the glass door and burglar proofing and stole a number of items, including an air compressor and laptop.
Amos Tuckshop was broken into on October 16. The owner, Mr Lokman Kazi, heard a noise from his shop.
“I went over to see what it was, only to find that someone had broken into the shop and stolen money from the till,” said Kazi.
Burglars made their way to Witbank Airfield and broke into two containers situated next to the hangars.
“They broke the padlocks and took all the tools from inside the containers, this included a generator, compressor and three wheelbarrows,” said Mr Fanelo Nqatha.
On October 16, the Afgri Building was broken into.
“They cut the alarms as there was no reaction from security. When we arrived in the morning the back door to the business was broken open,” said Mr Mathinus Boshoff.
The burglars used a grinder to cut open the safe and drop safe and were able to get away with an undisclosed amount of money.
Witbank Police caution business owners and residents to ensure the right precautions are in place, and steps are taken to ensure the safety of their valuables.
