Following a spate of house robberies and reported incidents in the Tongaat, Phoenix and Verulam areas, the community is urged to be on guard against four armed men allegedly posing as municipal workers.
The modus operandi used is for them to gain access into the properties of unsuspecting residents, claiming to want to have a look at their electricity boxes or meters inside the property. They then incapacitate the homeowner and rob them of valuables. While the SAPS are doing everything in their power to curb crime in the community, residents have been urged to be more vigilant, report any suspicious-looking people, vehicles or activities to the SAPS. This after four men posed as municipal workers, to gain entry into a property in Tongaat, last Wednesday.
According to reports, the homeowner was confronted by the suspects who said they were reading the meter and required access to the property. It is alleged that upon opening the gate, the home owner was attacked and tied up. The robbers then ransacked the house, taking the TV, jewellery, phones, an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuable items. A similar incident occurred later in Phoenix, however, no valuables were stolen. It is alleged that a male entered a house, claiming to be a municipal worker and upon being questioned by the family about his identification card which he did not have with him, and realising that the property had a prepaid meter, he quickly made his way out. He is believed to have been travelling with other men in a white Avanza.
Colonel Santha Moodley, SAPS Tongaat station commander, said residents can also call the municipality to confirm if their personnel are in the area and what form of identity they carry. “Do not allow people into the premises without some form of verification. I urge residents to be vigilant and take no chances when it comes to their safety,” said Moodley. Her sentiments were shared by Captain Louise Naidoo from SAPS Phoenix who urged residents to always seek Identification. “In respect of people coming to your residence, posing as municipal workers, request for identification which they should readily have on them. If they do not have identification, do not allow them access into your home. Educate the elderly on how to activate the alarm and ensure that the premises are properly fenced with lock-up gates, to avoid intruders.”
