Ogies residents are living in fear as house robberies persist, prompting a desperate plea for intervention from the police.

In the latest incident, the Mabuza family fell victim to thieves who allegedly stole valuable items, including a fridge, as the family slept unaware.

Vusi Mabuza said suspects broke a window to gain entry to the house on Tuesday, February 20.

Mabuza added, “After the housebreaking at home, there was another house robbery in the neighbourhood in which they broke in and took a television when they were also asleep. We truly don’t know what they used to do to access the house with no one hearing anything.”

Mabuza said that the criminals were people from their community.

This comes after stolen items from the Mabuza residence, such as the cellphone, allegedly surfaced in the possession of a neighbour, who said he bought it from someone in the community.

The police pursued that lead and proceeded to face the accused vendor, who was not arrested because he claimed to have obtained it from someone else; nonetheless, that was another dead lead, and the Mabuza investigation was closed due to a lack of leads.

Frustrated and concerned residents visited the Ogies Police Station on Wednesday, February 21, seeking answers and immediate action.

Mabuza said, “The police seem to be downplaying the severity of these house break-ins, and we need them to take this matter seriously.”

Several anonymous neighbours expressed their concerns, emphasising the unpleasant possibility that the perpetrators may be living among them.

One homeowner said, “It’s unsettling to think that those guilty may live among us. We desperately need the police to act decisively before further harm is done.”

Another neighbour said, “The absence of a strong police response is distressing. We are terrified to sleep at night because we don’t know when our homes will be attacked next. The community requires reassurance and concrete action.”

Despite the burglaries, the community is thankful that physical harm hasn’t been reported. However, the emotional toll is palpable, intensified by the alleged link between stolen items and community members.

This has heightened the urgency for law enforcement to promptly address the issue.

An official inquiry has been lodged with the Ogies Police Station by WITBANK NEWS, who have not responded as yet.

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