Angry
community
members outside
one of the
alleged
criminals’ house
Connie
Williamson
A GROUP of
community
members carried
out their own
operation to
recover stolen
goods.
The residents,
from the Mzingwe
Reserve area in
eSikhawini
joined, forces
and confronted
criminals at
their homes to
get back their
allegedly stolen
property.
The operation
was initiated by
Nicholas Mtholo
and Bheki Mkhize
with the
community’s
support.
‘We identified
the houses of
the suspected
criminals and
confronted them
on Thursday
evening
continuing to
Friday.
‘We detained
them until they
gave us
information on
the whereabouts
of our goods and
police later
arrested them,’
said Mtholo.
The operation
was successful,
with
televisions,
DVDs, fridges,
beds and other
appliances
recovered and 12
criminals put
behind bars.
‘This community
has stood up to
the criminals
and refused to
tolerate crime
in their area
anymore.
‘They were truly
brave to go into
these criminals’
homes and demand
their property
back,’ said
Superintendent
Masibuko, SAPS
eSikhawini.
‘Although the
community had
developed a
neighbourhood
patrol, it was
not as effective
as actually
going to the
criminals who
were known to
the community
and detaining
them,’ said
Mazibuko.
‘We are
anticipating a
huge decrease in
housebreakings
after this
incident because
we have the
support of our
community on our
side,’ said
Mkhize.
