Residents need to be more vigilant

GEORGE NEWS - An increase in violent home invasions and burglaries across George has become a big concern for residents, police and neighbourhood watches in the area.

"Our residents, especially the elderly, have to be more vigilant and security orientated. George is no longer the Eden we are used to," says George Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Rupert Pretorius.

According to the latest quarterly crime statistics, there have been 11 reported house robberies in the George area (George, Conville, Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu) between April and June this year and a shocking 295 incidents of burglaries at residential premises.

"During the past three months we've had some violent home invasions and George is poised to have many more such incidents unless there is a remarkable change in the perspective towards crime and being proactive in combatting it," said Pretorius.

The most recent house robbery took place in Stander Street on Sunday morning, 21 August, at approximately 04:30. The victims, Hennie (62) and Hanlie Kotzé (61), are still heavily traumatised by the horrific incident and recovering from their injuries in Mediclinic George.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said it is believed that Hanlie returned from outside when she found two armed suspects in their home. Hennie heard a commotion and when he went to investigate, he also encountered the men.

"The suspects assaulted the couple and forced them into their bedroom after which they took an undisclosed amount of cash, two Samsung cellphones and an assortment of jewellery. The assailants fled the scene in the victims' vehicle which was later found abandoned near Pacaltsdorp. Both victims sustained multiple injuries during the attack," said Spies.

No arrests had been made by the time of going to print.

The couple moved from Pretoria to George after they retired. Hennie was a teacher at Pretoria Boys High School from 1989 to 2007 and from 2008 he has been coaching hurdles on and off in Saudi Arabia.

According to Hennie's brother, Deon, the couple are extremely traumatised. He said both sustained serious fractures and wounds during the ordeal after they were attacked by two men armed with a knife and a blunt object at their home in Loerie Park.

Hennie and Hanlie Kotzé moved from Pretoria to George to retire in peace.

House robbery in Arbour Road

On Tuesday 2 August an elderly couple, Minne (80) and Lia Horneman (75), were attacked in their home in Arbour Road, Glen Barrie, at around 20:30. They were robbed of several items, including their car.

The couple was home watching TV when two suspects whose faces were covered, armed with a knife and a screwdriver, entered the house, tied them up and threatened them.

The men fled shortly before 22:00 with the couple's car and various other belongings. They also ordered the couple to provide the Pins of bank accounts and managed to withdraw R20 000. Eventually Lia managed to untangle herself and went to find help from the neighbours.

The police were on the scene within minutes and the car was recovered the next evening with the keys still in it.

Minne Horneman (80) and his wife, Lia (75).

Attack in Ballots Bay

Another couple in their sixties were assaulted and robbed in their home in Ballots Bay Heights on Monday evening, 6 June. Three unidentified men entered the home at about 18:45 and went to the living room where they accosted the couple.

The wife was forced to the ground while her husband was assaulted and sustained serious head injuries. The suspects made off with some jewellery before they fled the scene. Both victims were taken to hospital for medical care and have since been discharged.

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Another resident in the same area, a single lady, also fell victim to a housebreaking earlier this year in April. However, she escaped unharmed as her neighbour managed to chase the perpetrator away.

Similar modus operandi

Although the modus operandi in these three incidents is very similar, Spies said that there is at this stage no reason to believe that a syndicate is involved.

"However, the investigation into the latest matter [Stander Street] is at a very early stage and all possibilities are being investigated. We appeal to the public to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of these suspects," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the George Police on 044 803 4400 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Safety starts at home

Pretorius says a great concern to them is the nonchalant attitude towards crime in George.

"We don't want to scare our residents and visitors, but we have to educate and encourage the public to be more vigilant. Crime evolves and so should our crime prevention and fighting tactics," he says.

"You can't blame the police if your garage door is left open in the middle of the night and all your tools are stolen. You can't blame the police for not being there because you leave your windows open without burglar bars or alarms and suffer a home invasion. I would like to plead with our community to realise the necessity of being proactive towards crime, look at crime with a different mindset and to realise the need to become part of your neighborhood structures.

"We cannot prevent crime if we do not approach it in a global fashion. Asses your home and your day-to-day activities and ensure it is safe and not vulnerable to crime. Do not invite these thugs into your home by making it easy for them.

"Report incidents immediately; every second counts. Don't wait until you become a statistic. Next time might never come," says Pretorius.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies.