THIEVES TERRORISE MMOPANE, GABORONE RESIDENTS .

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday February 10, 2014 16:24

The police are concerned that residents in these areas do not know each other. Sir Seretse Khama Airport Police Station commander, Superintendent Banneetsi Keakile told The Monitor on Friday that in most cases, criminals break into houses when occupants are away, possibly at work.

“They steal electronic devices such as television sets and laptops,” he said.

Mmopane resident, Matlhogonolo Machobane, a nurse at Princess Marina Hospital said though thieves did not trouble them during the festive season, things have been different since January. “People in my area have been complaining of attacks by thieves at night. I think I was only safe because I own dogs. One night they nearly attacked us, but we were helped by other residents who shouted when they saw them by our window,” he said.

A builder, Lucky Segokgo of Mmopane Block One suspects that some of the thieves might be residents of the area. “As builders/carpenters, we are forced to lock our goods and hire security guards which at times does not help. It seems the number of break-ins s in the area are high,” he said.

Batho Mogorosi of Mmopane Block One, blamed some residents of the area for failing to organise themselves to fight crime. He said this has given criminals an advantage.

“Though it is not common to see police officers in the area unless a case has been reported, we are to be blamed for failing to organise ourselves.

The problem is that Mogoditshane police are not responding quickly to people’s call,” he said. Some of the residents blamed the police for failing to do regular patrols.