RESIDENTS in Empangeni are urged to be vigilant and ensure their property is secure and well protected.
With the festive season upon us, there has already been an increase in house breaking and robberies over the past few weeks.
Reports of automated gates being removed to gain easy access to homes has become a common modus operandi by criminals.
Last Thursday, a local Empangeni resident noticed a Ford Figo with four adult males driving around her neighbourhood. The following afternoon the car was back again and seemed to be cruising around with no actual purpose. It was only when the car was spotted again later in the evening that things did not seem right.
‘The Figo was parked on Bushbuck Street close to a neighbour’s driveway gate with two of the occupants out of the car in front of the gate removing it,’ said resident Ria Haasbroek.
‘When they were questioned as to what they were doing, the reply was that they were looking for someone. Why the gate needed to be removed was never answered and the suspects scrambled back into their car and fled, after opening their boot to prevent their car number plate from been recorded,’ added Haasbroek.
And this is not the only incident which was reported recently.
Another elderly couple in the same area was reportedly unable to get their electric gate open one morning. On closer inspection it could be seen that the gate had been forced off the rail and the cogs of the motor had been damaged.
Empangeni SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said that they were aware of the problem and that a number of cases had been reported.
He said local residents should ensure their property was secure and well protected.
‘Remain vigilant and keep the police informed of any suspicious behaviour over the festive season,’ Mdlalose said.
