Concern over KZN home invasions

COMMUNITY policing forums (CPFs) in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed concern over a recent spate of house robberies, home invasions and hijackings, saying these crimes were reported at weekly meetings.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said many homeowners were being robbed by people who posed as municipal workers, repairmen, beggars and job seekers.

“We are appealing to community members to always make sure they do not allow strangers on to their premises without identifying the person. They should also not employ people without conducting proper background checks.”

Police said they were concerned over the rate of house robberies in the province and had established initiatives to address the spate of trio crimes (murder, house robberies and business robberies).

Some of the most recent incidents included a woman who was bludgeoned to death during a home invasion in Northdene on Monday.

A man was shot dead during a botched hijacking and a father and son were shot and injured during a home robbery in two separate incidents in Chatsworth on Sunday. In Malvern last week, armed robbers shot and wounded a 57-year-old in her home. This was just days after a family a road away was also held up. THURSDAY MAY 10 2018

Haden Searles, chairman of the Durban North /Umhlanga CPF said: “In a few places, we’ve had two house robberies reported in one day, sometimes within minutes of each other.”

Jakes Singh, chairperson of the Chatsworth CPF, said the increased incidents in Chatsworth should be seen in the context of its increased households, as the community now also incorporated Bottlebrush, Welbedacht East and West, Burlington and Lusaka informal settlements. “A big problem is that residents are too trusting and invite anyone into their home, like street hawkers.”

CPFs have urged people to join their local forum, neighbourhood watch and related WhatsApp groups.