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Gripped by fear for her life, a Walmer resident has abandoned her property after a relentless string of break-ins has left her too traumatised to return home.
For the past three months, Thobeka Nqikela, 55, has been living with a friend while her Villiers Road house continues to be a target for brazen criminals.
She left her home of 23 years after a flurry of break-ins, some of which happened while she was sleeping.
“As a woman in SA, I just felt like I am waiting to be the next statistic,” Nqikela said.
On Thursday, she took Weekend Post on a tour of the property, whose gate has been secured by a chain and padlock.
The electric gate no longer works because thieves stripped the motor of wiring.
The home also does not have an electricity supply after criminals stole the cables.
In the garden, 24 ground lamps have also been stolen.
Nqikela’s kitchen has been completely barricaded to stop further theft and vandalism.
She said all her appliances and furniture had been broken.
In her late daughter’s bedroom, piles of files, books and clothes are strewn on the floor and wardrobes and desk drawers have been left open — evidence of a frantic search for valuables by criminals.
The water supply to the home has also been switched off because all the copper pipes have been stolen.
“In 22 years I have never had something like this happen,” Nqikela said.
“This has been happening since last year, but the aggression in the last three months has just got worse.”
Walmer has been hit by a string of robberies recently that is suspected to have links to a criminal ring.
In Nqikela’s block, at least four other homes have been robbed in the past six months.
Nqikela even came face to face with one of the thieves who she said was young and armed.
“It feels like there is someone who wants to cause me pain.
“I do not want to say I am being purposefully run out of the house, but it is all so suspicious.
“You hear of such stories, but I will never allow such to happen to me,” she said.
Unemployed and with no means to support herself or restore the home, Nqikela said she had been forced to live with a friend.
“I have nothing,” she said.
“The only people who have come to my rescue are two private security guards who have been patrolling this house.
“I have lost so much and the only people who are taking me seriously are these two security guards.”
Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu said many crimes in Walmer were being committed by juveniles who were repeat offenders.
They are often released back into the custody of their parents or guardians.
“The Walmer Neighbourhood Watch and private security companies are very active in the area,” Naidu said.
“Operations are held regularly between the police and other force multipliers.
“Police urge residents, if they can afford it, to install alarm systems and to take the necessary precautions in safeguarding their properties.
“Most of the crimes are committed by juveniles.”
Ward councillor David Hayselden said the municipality had attempted to restore electricity to Nqikela’s home, but the cables had been cut again.
He said any municipal intervention was limited to infrastructure outside properties.
HeraldLIVE
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