According to the 2018 South African crime statistics, the number of cases relating to theft out of or from motor vehicles saw a decline from 2253 cases to 1840 reported cases. However, despite the decline Stellenbosch locals are still plagued by car-related crimes.
Communications officer at the Stellenbosch police station, Captain Natalie Martin, explains that these crime rates fluctuate in specific areas in Stellenbosch, “Car-related crimes do occur all over Stellenbosch, but mostly in the CBD (Central Business District) part of the town. So, this means in and around the university campus area.”
Statistics for theft out of or from motor vehicles in Stellenbosch for 2016 to 2018. SOURCE: Crime Stats SA
Earlier this year Tegwen Sampson (25), an Ancient Cultures honours student at Stellenbosch
University, was furious when she realised her car’s wipers had been stolen.
“It happened while I was on campus. My car was parked at the demarcated parking areas along Borcherd road. It seem[ed] relatively safe. When I came back, I didn’t realise [my wipers] were gone. I needed to use them to drive home, only to scratch my window with the naked metal bar.
“The car I have can’t have its wipers separated from the holder, so the thief took the holder too. It’s annoying and very frustrating,” Sampson adds.
Tegwen Sampson says she now pays for parking as a safety precaution to secure her windshield wipers. PHOTO: Facebook
Second-year Plant and Soil Sciences student at Stellenbosch University, Reece van der Walt (21), also recalls a recent incident where he became the victim of another car-related crime.
“I wrote a semester test during the week at 17:30 and parked my car outside the faculty building. Since it was on campus, I assumed it would be safe. I finished writing just after 20:00 and on my way to the car, I saw that all my wheel caps were gone.
“I reported the crime the following morning, but unfortunately nothing came of it. I ended up having to use some of my savings to replace the four wheel caps,” says van der Walt. Both Sampson and van der Walt say they don’t think their vehicles are safe in Stellenbosch.
“I used to think my car was relatively safe, however, now I’m worried. Parking in Stellenbosch is one of the biggest contributors to my stress at university,” says Sampson.
“Some places are safer than others because you have security there. But in general, I don’t think my car is safe anywhere on campus, especially at night,” van der Walt adds.
Map showing the Stellenbosch CBD where most car-related crimes occur. SOURCE: Google Maps
Captain Martin urges all car owners to report any car-related crimes, “The time period for
reporting does not lapse. So, all car-related crimes can be reported any time after it occurred.
“Anything stolen from or out the vehicle follows the same procedure when it comes to reporting. You need to report it at the at the CSC (Client Service Centre) at the police station,” Martin adds.
All car-related crimes can be reported to the Stellenbosch Police station on 23 Du Toit Street, Stellenbosch Central or by calling 021 809 5000.