The thefts of two vehicles from two Stellenbosch University (SU) men’s residences, recently, have once again raised concerns regarding the efficacy of security measures being implemented at SU residences.
This is according to James du Preez, the primarius at Helshoogte men’s residence.
“The boom was standing open at an angle,” said Rudolf Louw, an Eendrag men’s residence House Committee member, who was present at the scene following the theft of a vehicle from the residence’s parking area on 24 May. “We’re not entirely sure if it was a mechanical fault or if it was actually forced open.” PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
Two vehicles stolen in one weekend
The two incidents, which involved the theft of a Polo Maxx and Polo Vivo from the shared parking lot between Eendrag and Helshoogte, took place on 24 May and 26 May, respectively.
This was confirmed by Du Preez and André Niewoudt, a third year Eendrag resident and the owner of the Polo Maxx.
A preliminary investigation on 24 May revealed that the security boom shared by both residences had been tampered with. This allowed robbers to remove the vehicle without obstruction, according to Niewoudt.
The vehicle of Stellenbosch University (SU) student, André Niewoudt, was parked at the front of Eendrag men’s residence. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
“The boom was standing open at an angle,” said Rudolf Louw, an Eendrag House Committee member present at the scene. “We’re not entirely sure if it was a mechanical fault or if it was actually forced open.”
Helshoogte leadership were notified of the second incident when an image of the vehicle exiting through Eendrag’s separate security boom, was sent by an Eendrag resident, according to Du Preez.
The Polo Vivo, belonging to a Helshoogte resident, was photographed exiting the parking lot through Eendrag’s separate security boom on 26 May 2024. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
Evolving security challenges
“Security arrangements are continuously reviewed,” said Dr Viljoen van der Walt, the director of risk management and Campus Security at SU. “This includes identifying new trends and adjusting security […] strategies to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
According to Van der Walt, the security booms served well as a precautionary measure, however, the trend of booms being damaged by perpetrators to exit university parking areas with stolen vehicles has risen.
Helshoogte (right) and Eendrag are two men’s residences at Stellenbosch University. These residences share a security boom gate which enables access into and out of the joint parking lot. The parking is normally accessible by scanning an authorised student card, according to James du Preez, the primarius at Helshoogte. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
Safety concerns first raised in February
Concerns regarding safety and security measures at SU residences have persisted amongst student leaders across campus, according to Du Preez.
Eendrag made requests for greater security presence in response to several break-ins, which took place in February, at residences situated along Merriman avenue. This is according to Nikolas Germishuysen, the vice primarius at Eendrag.
Niewoudt found it concerning that the booms could be tampered with without triggering any alarm to notify Campus Security. “Then, in my view, the boom is pointless.”
André Niewoudt is the owner of the Polo Maxx which was stolen from a parking lot shared by Stellenbosch University’s Eendrag and Helshoogte men’s residences on the evening of 24 May 2024.
The SU main campus is an open campus intertwined with the town, making it accessible to the public, said Van der Walt. This continues to pose unique challenges for Campus Security, he said.
While SU continues to create awareness and address safety concerns on campus together with other security bodies, it calls on students, staff, and the public to be vigilant, said Van der Walt.