Residents of a gated community in Bellville say they are under siege by criminals who are using a nearby field to spy on them and to escape after robbing them or burgling their homes.
The Sirrocco Village residents say they’ve been the target of many crimes. One claims the area has had 20 burglaries and robberies in just one month, but their appeals for help from various authorities have gone unanswered.
John Turner, a resident and member of the board of trustees, has lived in the complex with his wife for three years.
He said: “We really enjoy staying here, but people jump over the fences and break into houses while there are also guys robbing people while they are walking outside our gates. We have made numerous calls, written letters, signed petitions, done everything we can think of but still nothing happens.”
Mr Turner and the residents of Sirrocco Village have been appealing to the police for more visible patrols to be made in the area, for the city to build a fence around the nearby field and for Prasa to also construct fences around thetrain tracks which separates them from nearby areas.
A security guard is posted at the entrance of the complex, but Mr Turner said that offered little deterrence to criminals.
“Quite often, the incidents take place when we have a female guard on duty, and then the guys come and stand right by the booth. They often have weapons or they are a large group so she is being targeted.”