Daylight robberies target three neighbouring greenbelt homes
THREE traumatised Brackenham neighbours are counting their losses after their homes were ransacked in broad daylight.
The break-ins occurred on Thursday while the homeowners in Lobotum street were at work.
All three homes are adjacent to the greenbelt. Items that were stolen include small kitchen appliances, TVs, clothing, jewellery, shoes, groceries including meat supplies.
Speaking to the ZO, two residents, Prenisha Moodley and Geraldine Govender, were distraught over the incidents, which left their homes in a mess and with much damage to windows and doors.
Govender said she realised she had been robbed when she returned home from work shortly after 3pm.
"I was shocked at the state of the house and how much was taken. All my kitchen appliances, our television, clothing, linen and shoes were stolen," she said.
"The criminals had time because they sorted through the cupboards and stole only branded clothes and jewellery, make-up and all the meat from the freezer.
We are directly on the greenbelt, and burglaries are an ongoing challenge as the area is not maintained or cleaned - Prenisha Moodley
"They gained entry by cutting one of the burglar bars, and even went as far as stealing our pet food. If they had more time, they would have stolen much more," she said.
Meanwhile, this is Moodley's eighteenth burglary at the home she has lived in for 30 years, and the third burglary in three months.
She was alerted to the incident after her neighbour reported that someone had gained entry into her home while she was in the bathroom.
"Last week, my television and groceries were stolen. This week, a cellphone and groceries including meat were stolen," she said.
"Over the years I have suffered so many burglaries and I even went without a TV for six years. I bought this new television a little while ago and did not even get to connect it before it was stolen.
"We are directly on the greenbelt, and burglaries are an ongoing challenge as the area is not maintained or cleaned," she said.
Brackenham CPF responders responded to the incident and patrolled the greenbelts, but the perpetrators were long gone.
The Brackenham Community Civic Association's Mandy Michaels said the ongoing burglaries have left residents helpless.
She encouraged businesses and community members to support crime prevention initiatives and to be extra vigilant heading into the festive season.