Acts of vandalism leave Stellenbosch residents concerned for safety

Residents of the old Weltevreden farm, neighbouring Nooitgedacht Estate, are concerned for their safety as cases of vandalism and theft have allegedly picked up over the last year.

Property vandalism

Eckhard Scholtz’s property in Stellenbosch, Weltevreden 88/2, has been vandalised since the beginning of 2020, according to Anna-Mareè Uys, winemaker and Scholtz’s neighbour. PHOTO: Alexander Brand

This was according to Anna-Mareè Uys, winemaker and resident of the area. Cases are now happening daily, claimed Uys. The most recent incidents have involved the alleged destruction, vandalism and looting of a property, owned by Eckhard Scholtz, neighbouring Uys’s farm, she said.

Window vandalism

The vandals who have targeted Eckhard Scholtz’s property on the old Weltevreden farm have broken down everything, except for the brick structure, according to Scholtz. PHOTO: Alexander Brand

Scholtz lives in Hout Bay, and rents out the Stellenbosch property to tenants. Scholtz told MatieMedia that between 25 December 2020 and the first week of January 2021, he did not have tenants on the property, which means it was left vacant for 10 to 14 days.

“When we realised [what was happening], it was already too late, because thieves had already started vandalising the property,” said Uys. “The first [act of vandalism] was between Christmas and New Year’s [2020], because the house was empty.”

Fence vandalism

The vandals who have targeted Eckhard Scholtz’s property on the old Weltevreden farm enter the property through a gap created in the fence by cutting the wire, according to Scholtz. PHOTO: Alexander Brand

The main method of entering the property for vandals is by cutting the wire of the fence at the back of the house, according to Scholtz.

“[They have stolen] absolutely everything. There was a shed. The entire shed was demolished. It was a corrugated iron shed with windows and doors that’s all been broken down. The entire house ‒ there is not a single fitting or anything left,” he added.

Bathtub vandalism

Even the bathtub was removed by the vandals who targeted Eckhard Scholtz’ property, which is on the old Weltevreden farm in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Alexander Brand

While there have been incidents of theft on Uys’ farm since the 1980s, the situation has worsened in recent years, she said.  

“[F]or the last 25 years, it has just gone from bad to worse,” said Uys.

Response from SAPS

An incident on Scholtz’s property on 24 August saw the arrest of four individuals by Cloetesville South African Police Service (SAPS). This was after Amanda Mostert, owner of Stellenbosch Doggy Day Care and Hotel, and resident of the area, reported them to SAPS. The individuals were arrested for vandalism and trespassing on Scholtz’s property, according to Mostert.

The individuals were not arrested by Stellenbosch SAPS, but were handed over to them by Cloetesville SAPS, because they were the first on the scene, according to Sgt Jason Rhoda of Stellenbosch SAPS.

“Therefore the circumstances around the arrest [are] unclear to this [Stellenbosch SAPS] office,” he added.

Uys describes the situation as “a real nightmare”. 

“You cannot leave your property alone, because people will come and steal everything from there,” said Uys.

Sgt Zenobia Sedeman from Cloetesville SAPS has confirmed that the property falls under Stellenbosch SAPS jurisdiction. 

This is a developing story.

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