Spotlight on crime as more spotlights stolen

Erasmia and Laudium are fast becoming a hotbed of petty criminals, intent on keeping locals in the dark, with spotlights for some reason having become the new must-have for these thieves who sell the items for a few Rand, presumably to feed their drug habits.
With the recent constant load-shedding, stealing security lights has become easier as the criminals are not easily spotted in the dark. The recent steady rise in theft of light fixtures is becoming a growing concern, more so as thieves now operate more during curfew hours seemingly without detection, and residents are none the wiser to finding out that they are victims, until the next day.
Victim of such a theft, Swanepoel Street, Erasmia resident, Sayeeda Mukadam said, “Our spotlight that was on a permanent fixture next to my driveway gate was stolen last Friday, during the early parts of the morning. I went to bed after 11pm on that Thursday night and the spotlight was on as I checked whilst locking up for the night. At around 7am the next morning, I noticed it had been stolen, presumably during the night”. Sayeeda decried the thieves randomly targeting her home. “I had it properly bolted onto a fixture which is not within reach. Still it was stolen! This was definitely not a one-man job. The safety and security of my property was compromised and I am traumatised,” Sayeeda concluded.
Neighbouring resident Fatima Ahmed said, “These criminals appear to be working in pairs, and are boldly accessing locked, secure premises. They work in tandem to pilfer sought-after light fittings, often damaging surrounding fittings and causing financial headaches to homeowners.
The market for stolen spotlights appears to have soared during lockdown and I urge homeowners not to purchase these used items from door-to-door ‘salespeople’, with no credentials, as this can continue to fuel criminal activity in the area.”
Fatima added, “Many residents do not usually report petty crime affecting them as the official response has not always provided relief. However, I feel that it is important for victims of crime to report all incidents, so that the SAPS can understand the trends and patterns of criminal activity and hopefully be more vigilant in those areas. I really hope that these hotspot areas will then be more efficiently policed, and crime would potentially decrease.” Swanepoel Street security guard, Theuns Hanekom told the Laudium Sun, “This is usually a very safe street. This whole area actually has security situated at every street corner, but recently there has been a pattern of petty crimes. The thieves are clever and steal things that are easily accessible without anyone noticing. Residents need to be careful and make sure they safeguard their valuables.”
SAPS spokesperson, Constable Tumisang Moloto responded, “Members of the community have to come forward and report all crimes at the Erasmia Police Station, so that action can be taken. Our hands are tied if a case is not opened. Please call us on 012 370 1777 if you have any concerns of suspicious activity in the Erasmia area.”