Residential robberies, also known as home invasions, are on the rise in the Buffalo City Metro.
This is according to the latest crime statistics released by community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha in Gqeberha recently.
Residential robberies involve unauthorised entry into a home with the intent to commit a crime, often theft, with the use of force, intimidation or violence against the occupants.
Between July and December 2024, 133 residential robbery cases were opened with the police. This excludes other forms of burglary and theft.
This is an increase of 22 cases in the same period in 2023.
In that period, at least 14 cases were opened at the Cambridge police station.
Between October and December, 11 cases were opened at the East London police station.
Nqatha said Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and the OR Tambo district had made “significant contributions to the 17 community-reported crimes in the province during this period”.
The top five stations identified as hotspots for these serious crimes are East London, Mthatha, Mount Road (Gqeberha), Cambridge (East London) and Kabega Park (Gqeberha).
But community activists say the number could be higher as some victims do not report cases to the police.
Community activist Amanda Timms, who has social media groups dedicated to fighting crime, said some cases went unreported.
“It’s like a syndicate that is doing these robberies,” Timms said.
“A lot of them drive cars with fake number plates.
“They go in and leave in these cars with fake number plates.
“This has happened in areas like Beacon Bay, Vincent, Amalinda and Cambridge.
“There needs to be more cameras.
“The number could be more because people are not reporting the incidents. I see on the crime groups people not reporting cases.”
Red Alert’s Brett Harvey said they had witnessed a slump in the security industry as far as customers were concerned.
“We try to help as much as we can, but a lot of people can’t afford proper security and criminals know this.
“There is a huge amount of crime that isn’t reported. We see it every day.
“People are hesitant to act as they don’t want to go through the processes of our law enforcement and courts.”
Cambridge West ward councillor Allister Stewart confirmed the increase in residential robberies in the area.
“I think this is due to the overgrown areas in the bush where these people can stay and hide,” he said.
“Load-shedding is also a factor and now these guys use it to rob people.
“There needs to be more policing, patrols by law enforcement to try to be vigilant and they need to work with local patrollers.”
The Beacon Bay Ratepayers’ Association’s Scott Roebert said they had witnessed an increase in housebreaking.
“Without a big step-up in response by crime prevention and security companies, this trend will surely continue.
“Serious questions need to be asked about what is more important, changing the name of the city or better equipping law enforcement?
“Funds need to be prioritised to make sure our areas are safer places for all.
Quigney Ratepayers Association's Satish Nair said the spike in residential robberies in BCM was alarming and concerning.
“A 20-case increase ... is a significant jump, and it's clear more needs to be done to address this issue.
“As a community, we need to come together to support the authorities in combating crime. This includes firm leadership, being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and working with our local law enforcement to create safer neighbourhoods.
“We would like highlight the importance of community involvement in preventing crime and encourage our residents to take an active role in keeping our city safe.”
Provincial community police forum secretary Ludumo Salman said both formal and informal residential areas were affected.
“Something drastic needs to be done and community-based neighbourhood watches are the best solution to this.
“The police are not resourced well enough to cover all areas within their police precinct,” Salman said.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the statistics were a concern, “however we should not create a panic around it”.
“Crime is a nationwide issue, not just Buffalo City.
“There are efforts being made through partnerships that the city has in the safety and security cluster.
“There have also been great strides made by the communities through structures like community policing forums.
“When neighbourhoods are united, it becomes difficult for criminals.
“We want to encourage residents to create dialogue whether through WhatsApp groups, patrols or meetings so they can share information about criminal developments in their areas.”
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.