City businesses under siege as break-ins spike

Repeated break-ins over the past three months have put businesses in East London under significant strain.

The crime spree targets company equipment, industrial tools and stock, and coupled with vandalism, has costs businesses hundreds of thousands of rand.

Security cameras show criminals breaking into businesses in the early hours of morning.

Business owners open cases, but claim police often close them due to a lack of evidence.

Businesses have had to beef up security, adding video cameras, barbed wire and electric fencing to continue trading.

They believe they are being targeted by a syndicate; some as many as three times since March.

Arcadia panel beater Justin Erasmus said his business had experienced a spike in break-ins that had cost them an estimated R50,000. 

“They broke into both our shops. Recently, there was an attempted break-in where they smashed the locks but the alarm went off. In our other shop, they stole batteries, tyres and tools. 

“They get in by climbing onto the roof ... They also steal water meters, which you’d find in the morning with water gushing everywhere.”

He said their cameras had captured burglars ripping out computers and prowling the streets. 

“Things can happen any time. Some days they can be seen kicking doors, and we have videos of that.

“I think the police don’t have the manpower to catch these guys. They come to collect evidence and follow leads, but we then get an SMS that the cases have been withdrawn due to lack of evidence.” 

Darryn Pelser, manager of another business in the area, said break-ins were becoming more frequent. His company has spent R60,000 on security upgrades.

Along with vandalism, they had lost air con units, cameras, outside lights, stock and equipment worth about R200,000 over the past six months. 

He said he had once, together with security, chased down a suspect when their alarm went off. 

“We caught an individual who had been seen on our premises many times on the cameras.

“We took him to the police station, laid a criminal charge, but he was later released by the court.”

A staff member at AGS Aluminium, who asked not to be named, said they had experienced losses amounting to about R50,000 in two break-ins.

“In April, they broke in twice. The alarm slowed them down — without that they would have cleaned us out.

“They are petty criminals, grabbing computers, printers, tools and appliances. I think in the area, in April alone, there must have been 20 break-ins.”

He said he had beefed up his security. 

“The long-term solution is more police patrols.”

A PPE company said they had suffered stock losses of between R40,000 and R80,000. 

Purchasing supplier and manager Noreika Coetzee said: “In December we had three hits, in January two and two weeks ago we had another.

“Putting in security and cameras, as well as fixing doors and windows also costs us money.”

Earlier in May, the Quigney cultural restaurant and entertainment venue House 87 had a break-in when burglars gained entry through the ceiling.

Electronics, an undisclosed amount of cash, gadgets, smart TVs, security infrastructure, and alcohol and electric wiring worth an estimated R70,000 was stolen.

Ward councillor Funeka Wolose said business crime was a problem in the area. 

“Crime has always been there because we have bushy areas where vagrants live. Some also occupy abandoned buildings.”

Red Alert’s Brett Harvey said local businesses had been targeted, as well as businesses in other areas.

“Our teams are permanently patrolling hotspot areas like these as a prevention measure in the hope of spotting criminals in the act.

“Crime is increasing in the area and everywhere, but unfortunately, a lot of people don’t open cases, which causes a big problem for the SAPS statistics.”

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed there were several current cases being investigated.

“Two of the cases provided are business burglaries, and a third is of attempted murder.

“All cases are declared undetected by court. Police have increased their visibility with operations being conducted in hotspot areas every week.”

Black Business Forum president Luthando Bara said they believed the economic vitality of the inner city was essential for the overall development of any city.

“The deteriorating state of the CBD — marked by infrastructure decay, crime and poor property maintenance — poses a serious threat to business sustainability.

“Urgent intervention is needed to reverse this decline and retain businesses in the inner city.”

He said the city needed to establish public-private partnerships for urban renewal and engage business owners and property developers in a structured collaboration to implement a long-term revitalisation strategy.

“The city should undertake immediate and consistent repair of roads and public amenities, including street lights, pavements and public spaces, to create a safe and attractive business environment.

“It should strengthen the presence of law enforcement through increased patrolling and surveillance by partnering with police, private security firms and business owners.

“Crime prevention initiatives such as neighbourhood watches and CCTV monitoring should be prioritised.

“The metro should implement stricter bylaws requiring property owners to maintain their buildings and ensure safety compliance, with penalties for noncompliance.”

Bara said the decline of the inner city was a collective challenge that demanded co-ordinated action and commitment from all stakeholders. 

Daily Dispatch