THE police in the Komani cluster have warned residents that a spike in crime, particularly in two categories – those of rape and property theft – is causing concern.
While it was positive that many of these cases resulted in successful prosecutions, it was distressing that both old and young were falling victim to rapists.
Mdleleni said a 73-year-old woman, who lived alone in Glen Grey, was recently attacked and raped in her home. A suspect had subsequently been arrested. In Mlungisi, police continue to investigate the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl, with no arrest having been made.
Mdleleni urged parents to keep a closer watch over their children, and said it was not ideal for the elderly to live alone. She also confirmed that there were definitive links between alcohol and drug abuse and rape.
Property theft had shown a sharp increase over the past three months, she confirmed, with business robberies, house robberies, housebreakings and theft out of vehicles all on the rise.
Mdleleni confirmed that there had been several incidents of people gaining entrance to homes under false pretences and then stealing goods.
“Theft out of vehicles is also a major problem. People leave laptops and cellular phones in plain sight, resulting in theft.”
She urged vehicle owners to check that their cars were properly locked before walking away and said valuables should be locked away in the boot or placed out of sight of passers by.
Home owners who intend going away should also tell the police in advance so that patrols in the area could be increased, she said.
