With loadshedding increasing from two to four hours, residents in 7de Laan, Humansdorp, have reported an increase in house robberies which have left many lying awake at night.
Resident Jonathan Phyllis, who has experienced at least five house robberies in the last year, said he believes his house is targeted because it is located on the corner of a busy road.
According to him, his neighbours and people from surrounding areas have also recently experienced an increase in house robbery.
“Humansdorp has always been a dangerous place, but this is our home and every day we pray for this situation to get better,” said Phyllis.
He said that on May 11 his house was broken into yet again.
Phyllis said that at about 03:20 he heard the power box across from his house go off, and 10 minutes later the burglars, who he believes are young boys aged between 15 and 18 years old, kicked open his front door.
From his bedroom he said he saw a light shining through his house, which he assumed was the torch of a cell phone.
Phyllis said the burglars tried entering his bedroom and from experience he has learnt not to panic. Instead, he got up from his bed and held his blanket in front of him as a form of protection.
He said that he then heard one of the burglars shout “stab him” and he then began wrestling with one of the young boys.
Thankfully Phyllis was able to push the burglar out, and shut the door.
He said that they then left his premises.
“I think loadshedding plays a big role in the increase in house robberies, because it is dark. I lay awake because there is a gang that operates during loadshedding,” said Phyllis.
“I am encouraging people to make sure that their doors and windows are closed before they go to sleep.”
Since this was the fifth time that his house was broken into, Phyllis said that he fears that one day he might not make it out alive.
He said that his laptop was stolen during a house robbery on a previous occasion, and after reporting it to the local police he was asked to provide them with the serial number of the laptop, which he unfortunately did not have.
Phyllis said he has not reported any other house robberies to the police.
“I would like the police to be visible during loadshedding hours, and confront people walking around late at night,” said Phyllis.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said that according to the SAPS records, there has been no increase in house robbery during loadshedding in Humansdorp.
However, with a recent increase in house robberies in Gqeberha during loadshedding, she said that the SAPS has warned residents to ensure that their premises are secure, as criminals break into properties while residents are at home during, or just after, loadshedding.
“Residents are advised to re-look at their current security measures and consider upgrading as their safety is a priority,” said Naidu.
She said residents should ensure that their sliding doors have security gates and that both are locked when retiring to bed.
Naidu also advised that residents erect burglar bars on all windows that open, and ensure that their alarm system is working and that the panic button is within reach in cases of emergency.
She further said that residents should never go outside if they hear a noise or check on their dog’s constant barking; instead they should activate their panic alarm, phone the police and their security company.
