Robberies in SA homes soar

Palimino said:
I don’t. Have you read the posts? Here is my original (scroll up a bit).



It’s a reply to wrathex who was puzzled by why people continued to employ domestic workers in spite of the security risk. I responded to the post.

I added:
‘The security situation (and your advice) will generate more unemployment’ = catch 22.

As well as the security risk, there are minimum wages, labour legislation etc. and miles of red tape. Not worth it IMO. But people still do it (and often pay a tragic price).
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Yes Palimino, there is the unemployment factor. However many domestic workers who do work as servants, resent it very very much, they feel that if apartheid had not discriminated against them, they could have had desk jobs or managerial jobs and would not be servicing rich whites and thus in light of our history and in light of the extremely violent and cruel crimes, and regardless of the fact that we have more unskilled labour than we can make use of, should we ?

Is perpetuating, this domestic worker class, for the sake of employment statistics, the right thing to do ?

How much more approachable by criminals does a domestic worker become at the slightest discipline/word from their employer ?
When your domestic worker goes home to her shack, tired and still having to do her chores there and cook for her family ?

It's the same dilemma as when you see someone walking along the road, asking for a lift or needing a lift and you're in your car and you want to help, but you don't because the risk to your personal safety is too high.

How many more generations of "domestic workers" should we make room for ?

Regardless of our stupendous amounts of available labour, skilled and unskilled, the cost for labour in SA is very high.

Surely, the labour unions have priced their own members out of jobs and this has had a knock-on effect on cheaper development in the country in general ?

I don't feel guilty about not employing domestic staff, firstly because of the political implications - I don't like the idea of perpetuating a servant class (regardless of the labour excess, at least not until education levels in our country improves and all of us are more equal in that area) and secondly because of the security risk in light of the current critical crime situation.
 
Insight into the criminal mind

Article source:
from http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=402145

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GAINING ACCESS: Rudolph Zinn, an ex-cop, has released a book on house robberies. To be launched next week, it informs homeowners how to behave when confronted by criminals.

2010/05/17

CRIMINALS do not like surprises and prefer striking when their victims are home. These are just some of the scary realities contained in the book Home Invasion penned by a senior lecturer at the University of South Africa’s College of Law, Professor Rudolph Zinn.

The book, which hit the shelves three weeks ago, shares the former cop’s insights into the criminal mind and shows how to avoid becoming a victim.

The book was inspired by a report – after two years of research into criminal activity – for the Institute for Security Studies. The research focused mainly on house robbers, and spells out the dos and don’ts when victims find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

In the book, Zinn tells how suspects can spend months surveying properties of their would-be victims – spending nights in yards watching their every move.

When the thugs have enough “intel”, they pounce – but most commonly when the victims are home.

“They know that when the victims are inside, they can be made to assist them disarming alarms and giving safe codes where cash or jewellery are kept.

“If there is no one inside the house, they feel vulnerable as they could be surprised by owners or security companies.”

Zinn’s knowledge of the criminal psyche comes after extensive interviews with 30 convicted house robbers in the Gauteng area.

All the robbers told him they wanted their victims to “behave” when they were looting houses.

“I can’t say robbers are friendly, but they don’t like surprises. They like victims to co-operate when they are doing their job.

“Surprisingly they even give tips on how victims should behave when confronted,” said Zinn.

“Time is money with the criminals and the minute there is a delay they can be easily caught.”

Talking about why some are likely to turn to a life of crime, Zinn said unemployment played a big role.

“Some say they treat what they are doing as a career as they are supporting their families with the money they get, or in some cases they are doing this to send their siblings to school.”

On the topic of farm robberies, Zinn said in some cases criminals would do piece jobs to get onto the property and would rely on inside information from farm workers. There they would observe proceedings to get information like when money is taken to banks, or when the farm owner has money to pay wages to employees.

Zinn said what was important to understand was that criminals do not only target white residents and that anyone was vulnerable.

“They don’t care what the colour of your skin is. If you’ve displayed what they want, you are next. So to me, it’s a myth to say that they are targeting only the white community,” he said, stressing the importance of a neighbourhood watch.

“People must be vigilant. They must make sure they read the tips that are given and always report any suspicious things. The book will be very helpful.”

The book is to be launched in Pretoria on Tuesday and a week later in Cape Town. It is published by Tafelberg and can be found in most major book stores in the country at R150 . - By BONGANI FUZILE

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I'm going to buy this book.
 
I hope the book goes into detail as what to do when the perp is IN your house. All good knowing why they are there but when they are there you need to know how to handle them.
 
Hey this is part of LAnces Good news!!!!!!!!!!


yayayayaya!!! they are stealing less cars!!!

We should be happy this is great news.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Do you have concrete methods of taking ones personal security seriously?
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I frown more ...

They also used torture techniques during robberies, such as burning victims with boiling water, melted plastic or hot irons and used rape, or the threat of rape, as a means of establishing where valuables were hidden.

And in many cases the robbers were not deterred by alarms, armed response or dogs.
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This is the serious part. When is a robber not a robber any more? The moment he torture you, he is a torturer that takes something for the effort. The same with killing.
Any security measures you can think off, can be overcome if enough preparation is involved. Learning any defence is only useful if you have somebody on watch, in order to be awake when they strike. A weapon is of no use if you wake up with the guy already standing next to you with a gun pointed at you.

The only feasible way to prevent the torture bit, is to have two safes, one with some money in it, and other items you are willing to part with, which you will show when prompted, while your real safe is hidden better.
 
Nod said:
This is the serious part. When is a robber not a robber any more? The moment he torture you, he is a torturer that takes something for the effort. The same with killing.
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Biggest problem with ZA's crime is that I can be so violent. Sure, stealing things are annoying but insurance will replace it and if not it can eventually be replaced. What people fear the most is the possibility of rape/murder/torture.

As for the increase in crime - well that's to be expected after our economic "crash".
 
Nod said:
I frown more ...
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My initial post on this issue where I said that was more aimed at the way the previous poster blithely insinuated that nobody takes personal security seriously, when you'll find ALOT of people do, but they just don't really have an idea of what else they can do.
 
ToxicBunny said:
My initial post on this issue where I said that was more aimed at the way the previous poster blithely insinuated that nobody takes personal security seriously, when you'll find ALOT of people do, but they just don't really have an idea of what else they can do.
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Sorry, I was a bit sarcastic there, as you are right. What more can you do? You pay tax so government can protect you, you also pay private security companies to protect you. You go through the schlep to get a firearm license, you move to saver neighbourhoods, basically anything that would make you feel saver. The problem is, is that nothing you do would really help if you are targeted.
 
genetic said:
:confused:
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I'm trying to be positive. I was told I should be positive or f off out off the country. Now I'm positive. At least they are not stealing your car you can still get to work pay taxes and buy the prez a new car or house.
 
wrathex said:
Is perpetuating, this domestic worker class, for the sake of employment statistics, the right thing to do ?
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I must have expressed myself really badly. I AGREE with you, I was just raising the point (devil’s advocate if you will) that not employing domestic workers will impact the country’s larger unemployment situation. On balance, the security risks, minimum wage requirements (anti supply & demand - by the way), labour legislation, unresponsive red tape tangles etc. far outweigh the minimal advantages of employing a domestic worker.

In other words, domestic workers are more trouble than they’re worth. Even though the overall unemployment situation will be impacted (catch 22). There is no correct answer. Just oscillate indecisively and then don’t employ (the risks and schlep are too high).
 
Palimino said:
I must have expressed myself really badly. I AGREE with you, I was just raising the point (devil’s advocate if you will) that not employing domestic workers will impact the country’s larger unemployment situation. On balance, the security risks, minimum wage requirements (anti supply & demand - by the way), labour legislation, unresponsive red tape tangles etc. far outweigh the minimal advantages of employing a domestic worker.

In other words, domestic workers are more trouble than they’re worth. Even though the overall unemployment situation will be impacted (catch 22). There is no correct answer. Just oscillate indecisively and then don’t employ (the risks and schlep are too high).
Click to expand...

No, you expressed yourself well, I know you agree with me, I was simply continuing the conversation, expanding it a bit.
 
Nod said:
The only feasible way to prevent the torture bit, is to have two safes, one with some money in it, and other items you are willing to part with, which you will show when prompted, while your real safe is hidden better.
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they expect this
 
KillerX said:
I once went 2 weeks without a maid... I thought... huh I can do this... keep the place orderly and clean. Boy! was I wrong!
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Technology ftw !

http://www1.uk.shopping.com/xPO-iRobot-Roomba-530

Got one of these 2 weeks ago. Switch it on and go to work. Come home, place has been hoovered.

That, a dishwasher and the drycleaners. no washing up, ironing or hoovering. The rest is easy. You dont need a maid.
 
We live on a plot.

Rule #1
be vigilant.

Do not ever let strangers into your house. If you must hide the valuables.

Pay special attention to your dogs when you arrive, leave or when you unlock the house. If they are not there to welcome you DO NOT unlock (If you are arriving drive past). If they are going wild outside you will hear the difference between that and normal barks. Do not open the door. call the armed response.


My biggest fear is arriving and leaving the house.
 
Let’s start using Chinese domestics. I hear the work fabulously in Aus.
Cut out the criminals.
 
BBSA said:
Sound good to me, is it legal to advertise for a Chinese domestics?
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NO you racist!!

Oh yes that is a joke.:o

I do not know if you can do anything in this country based on race Unless you say no whites may apply.
 
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