Warning over new criminal tactic targeting homeowners in South Africa

Arrive Alive has warned South African homeowners of criminals impersonating police officers to gain access to their homes before robbing them of their belongings and home contents.

Arrive Alive reported that police are pleading with South Africans to be aware of criminals who are impersonating police officers.

This emanates from several house robbery cases reported at various stations, particularly in KwaMashu in Durban.

The police highlighted that this is a growing modus operandi used by what is believed to be a syndicate operating.

Information received by the police noted that two to four males will enter the premises, announcing themselves as police or detectives who are looking for firearms.

The suspects usually wear different pieces of police uniform such as a bulletproof vest, a police cap, mask or raincoat.

Once they are inside the premises, they will point the occupants with firearms, whilst others ransack the house before they flee.  

 In a recent case, a 36-year-old woman was at her house at J-Section when she was accosted by two males who introduced themselves as detectives who were looking for firearms.

She was pointed with firearms and forced to open all the rooms of her house before they were all locked in the master bedroom. Four cellphones and cash were taken before they fled the scene.

“We urge community members to be more cautious whenever people come to their premises and introduce themselves as police officers,” the police department said.

“Homeowners must request to see appointment certificates before letting them inside or call the nearest police station to verify the credibility of those who introduce themselves as police officers.”

Despite year-on-year declines, burglaries and robberies at residential premises in South Africa remain alarmingly high.

The latest police data shows that 34,631 home burglaries were recorded between July and September 2024, translating to an average of 385 break-ins per day.

House robberies—where criminals confront homeowners directly—are less common but still concerning, with 5,967 cases recorded in the same period, or 66 per day.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), burglaries occur when thieves break into a home while the occupants are away, whereas house robberies involve direct confrontation and often violent threats.

Following the reports of this new modus operandi used to gain access to South African homes, Arrive Alive offered some tips to help homeowners avoid falling victim.

“In order to see if a police official is wearing a name tag, you have to be close to him or her, which means that you are in a one-to-one situation with the official,” said Arrive Alive.

“If he or she is not wearing a name tag, you cannot just ignore them, but you have the right to ask the official to identify him or herself by showing their appointment card.”

The community safety group said every police official must carry this card; even the personnel appointed under the Public Service Act in the South African Police Service carry distinct appointment cards.

“If the official refuses to identify him or herself by showing his or her appointment card, you can demand that you wish to speak or be approached by the official’s supervisor or commander,” the group said.

Additionally, you must remember that if you feel unsafe, you can go to the nearest police station to ensure that it is a bona fide police official who instructed you to pull over.

Arrive Alive also noted that detectives in the South African Police Service typically work in regular private clothes and do not wear name tags.

“If you are approached by an official claiming to be a detective, you must always ask him or her to identify yourself by presenting your appointment card,” it advised.