A spate of reported burglaries and thefts in and around the Raithby area since last November has led to Somerset West police boosting their crime-prevention measures in the policing precinct.
A total of six cases of robbery are currently under investigation, all occurring between Saturday 30 November and last Tuesday (7 January). No arrests have been made in any of the cases.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel JP du Toit, acting commander of Somerset West Police Station, the incidents occurred mostly late at night and in the early hours. The perpetrators use various modus operandi and some of the victims were attacked and injured.
In the most recent incident reported to Somerset West police several items were stolen from a business in Cordoba Street. “On Tuesday 7 January, at 23:50, the complainant saw the window of the business was broken,” Du Toit related. “Computer equipment, wallets and cash were taken. A burglary business is under investigation.”
Two days later (Thursday 9 January) a couple was allegedly attacked in their home on a farm near Eikendal Road, around 04:00. Stellenbosch police reacted to the emergency call and said two men had attacked the husband and wife while they were asleep in their home on a farm along the R44. The suspects’ faces were hidden, said Stellenbosch police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel René Matthee.
Kurt Maske, a security consultant and paramedic who treated the victims on the scene, said the woman managed to escape and call for help outside. “Both victims were injured in the attack; the woman, who sustained a gash to the head, managed to flee and call for help to family members living in another house on the property.”
The suspects made off with jewellery, cellphones, laptops and a television set. Matthee confirmed both victims were injured in the incident and hospitalised, the husband sustaining serious injuries.
Matthee confirmed a case of robbery is under investigation by Stellenbosch police.
Following the attack, Agri Western Cape issued a statement to express its shock at the incident and called on authorities to increase police visibility, bring effective prosecution of perpetrators about and join forces with the affected communities in crime prevention.
“Agri Western Cape will continue to be a voice for our agricultural community, and we insist that the government and the judicial system fulfil their constitutional duties to protect everyone in our society,” said Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape. “The time for words is over – it is now time for decisive action.”
This incident was preceded by an incident in Bredell Road at 01:00 on Saturday 4 January. Du Toit said the complainant found two unknown suspects inside his house, after they had gained entry by forcing open a window. “Items such as a wallet and laptops were taken,” he said. “The suspects pepper-sprayed the complainant before fleeing. A house robbery is under investigation.”
The previous day (3 January), a housebreaking and theft was reported in Annandale Road at 00:04, with the complainant returning to her home to find her bedroom window forced open and several items stolen, Du Toit said.
In another incident, which occurred just after midnight on New Year’s Day, five suspects dressed as policemen apparently targeted a home in the Raithby area. “The complainant heard dogs barking and upon investigation noticed three African men dressed in police uniform,” Du Toit explained.
“The men forced open the door and tied up the complainant, who saw two more men entering his house. The suspects tied up the rest of the complainant’s family members and put them all in one room. The suspects fled the scene with cellphones. Video footage obtained by detectives confirmed that none of men are known police members.”
Similarly, a family residing in Godoba Road was allegedly attacked by two unknown suspects wearing balaclavas on at the end of November. “The complainant heard a noise and decided to lock herself inside her room,” Du Toit said. “When she realised it was quiet, she exited and found her family injured.
“The suspects left the property with cellphones and wallets. The family was taken to hospital for medical attention.”
In early December a house break-in was reported in Hendricks Street in early December, which saw perpetrators forcibly accessing an outside building and making off with garden tools and furniture.
While Du Toit confirmed Somerset West police had put extra measures in place to police the targeted areas, he could not provide more details on the exact interventions, merely stating “an increased deployment” had been employed.
- Anyone with information is asked to contact Somerset West police on 021 850 1325 or 021 850 1303.
