Stellenbosch is one of the top ten areas in the Western Cape that were most affected by crime, according to the 2018 crime statistics.
Burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, sexual offences, common assault and drug-related crime were the crimes that made Stellenbosch a high-risk area.
Burglaries at residential and non-residential areas were one of the most reported offences with 1023 and 334 of the cases respectively.
Statistics for property-related crimes in Stellenbosch for 2017 to 2018. SOURCE: Crime Stats SA
Savanna Bosman (22), a postgraduate student at Stellenbosch University, recalls a fearful experience at her Verreweide residence in May 2018.
“I woke up for an exam at 4 o’clock in the morning to study. I heard this scuffling and yanking and breaking of something; it sounded like someone had taken a hammer and was trying to break something.”
After frantically waiting for the noise to fade/subside, Bosman says the sounds from outside became louder.
“When I opened my curtain and I saw those faces outside, I was really scared. I have anxiety, so I panicked, and I freaked out. I didn’t want to call anyone and make too much noise because I was so scared that they would have shot at something. I was paranoid and I didn’t sleep well for the next four weeks after that.”
Savanna Bosman says she was traumatised by what happened and received counselling after the incident. PHOTO: Facebook
“Nothing was stolen, but it was still very scary for me. There’s somebody breaking into the house and your heart is racing and you don’t really know what to do. I froze,” the 22-year-old remembers.
William Juul (22), Primarius at Capri PSO, explains how the residence fell victim to a recent burglary while debriefing the PSO after the annual street theatre, Vensters.
“The only way someone could’ve gotten in was through the card-access doors. The individual(s) either had access to our back door, went behind our windows, then very strategically, they stole items only from female members’ rooms.”
William Juul says Capri PSO is happy with the safety and provisions made by campus security, but personally feels they must be clear about their role on campus. PHOTO: Facebook
According to Juul, valuables and money were stolen from the room of House Committee member, Clarischa Ray, who manages the PSO’s Social Well-Being and Community Service portfolio.
“For that, they had to enter the room, physically climb through the window [and] move towards the back of the room where a bag was. The money was in the bag, in a box, in a folder and amounted to about R3000.”
The 22-year-old says the money was going to be donated to the children’s shelter, Place for Youth.
The crime was reported to Stellenbosch police station and the stolen cell phone was tracked in Cloetesville. However, according to Juul, the efforts to trace it were futile.
Captain Natalie Martin, Corporate Communications Officer at Stellenbosch police station, confirms that arrests have been made in the past year relating to burglaries at Stellenbosch residences. Martin further explains the process to follow when reporting a burglary:
“Firstly, you call SAPS to report the break-in. Make sure that the crime scene is secured, meaning no touching and fiddling with anything where fingerprints can possibly be found. Provide all information that you think might be relevant to the investigation.”
The number of arrests and reports made for residential burglaries has increased, with most arrests made in the town area. Captain Martin urges residents to adopt useful methods to improve safety and security.
“Invest in burglar bars and safety gates. Install security systems such as alarms etc. Close the curtains when you leave your house. Lock all doors and close all windows. Don’t leave valuable items near the windows if it is open.”