If the Minister of Safety and Security thinks that crime statistics are down, he might want to think again if he looks at Louis Trichardt and surrounds. A large number of houses and businesses in Louis Trichardt were burgled over the last week or two, with the perpetrators apparently knowing precisely where and when to strike.

Reports have been received from all over town of the work of what might well be a crime syndicate whose members know exactly how to go about their dirty business.

About two weeks ago, Ms Alida Britz, who lives in a flat, was alerted to the fact that burglars had broken into her home and stolen just about everything she owned while she was away overnight. According to Alida, the burglars not only took everything of value, but also seemed to take pleasure in destroying the few things that were left. As if that was not enough, they nearly set the place alight when they left the burning newspaper they had used to provide some light, on the floor. Alida proclaims it a miracle that her abode did not burn down. Police have managed to lift a number of fingerprints at the scene of the crime.

In another burglary over the past weekend, this time on Friday night, burglars managed to bypass the alarm system of Prominent Paint, the shop of Mr Ferdie Viljoen. When Ferdie’s son left the shop at 20:00 on Friday, everything was still fine. However, on Saturday morning when they returned, they found that the shop had been burgled by people who managed to gain entrance via a window at the back by removing the burglar bars. Apart from the computer and laptop that were stolen, the thieves made off with cash and some stock, as well as a cheque book. The same people broke into Computer Connection, which is right next door to Prominent Paint, but nothing appears to be missing, for which the owners are very grateful.

At LTT Bolt and Nut, the shop of Mr Godfrey Went, burglars gained access to the premises through the roof. Their first two attempts met with no success, but the third time they managed to enter the shop floor. Here they helped themselves to an industrial grinder, first attaching a plug, which they then used to cut open the three safes in the strong room. Apart from some cash, they also took off with very expensive tools, such as grinders and rotary hammer drills; these will probably be used for further break-ins and destruction of property. Mr Went describes the loss to his business as substantial, but declined to name a figure. The police have managed to lift a fingerprint from a bolt cutter which the burglars used to strip the wires to attach the plug to the grinder. The burglary was discovered on Sunday afternoon at around 15:00.

Early on Tuesday (8th), the La Ndou Guest House, just outside town on the Vivo road, was burgled. One suspect was apprehended, but his two accomplices managed to run away. A manhunt is currently underway to try and find them. In another incident, a Zimbabwean national was robbed of his money by two thieves, who ran away from the spot next to Nando’s. The police are on the lookout for them, as they are well known. An alert police patrol spotted a man walking close to the railway line with a bag over his shoulder. When he was asked to open the bag, he tried to run away and was cornered. Inside the bag the police found copper cable of more than 63kg. The man was arrested and is currently assisting the police in their efforts to apprehend more copper cable thieves.