Crocs Theft Thwarted by Community Watch

A sneaky thief targeting mosques in Mitchells Plain got caught thanks to the vigilant members of the Tafelsig West Neighbourhood Watch on Wednesday night.

The 42-year-old man was seen on camera stealing a pair of expensive Crocs worth R900 while worshippers were inside praying at a mosque in Tafelsig.

His little shopping spree didn’t last long, as the neighborhood watch caught him just outside the Daarul Ihsaan Institute Mosque in Everest Crescent right after 8PM.

Imaam Abduragiem Abrahams of the mosque mentioned that the Crocs were reported stolen about two weeks ago, and they had been keeping an eye out for the thief.

Abrahams remarked, “This is a brother that embraced Islam, he used to come here often on Fridays, and we always welcomed him. Then one day, a brother’s expensive Crocs disappeared. We checked the camera and saw it was him.”

He continued, saying, “We noticed he hadn’t returned for two weeks.” After some time, the neighborhood watch was discreetly alerted to keep an eye out for the suspect.

Abrahams noted that after several days of vigilance, they caught the thief when he returned. Once their prayers were completed, they informed the congregants about the capture and even reached out to the owner of the stolen shoes, only to discover they were already sold in Town Centre.

Instead of pressing charges, the Imam decided to pray for the man, expressing a sense of compassion. “The owner of the shoes decided that we should instead be an example, because he just came into the faith, so we will keep praying,” said Abrahams.

Tafelsig ward councillor Washiela Harris praised the neighborhood watch for their community dedication and urged residents to stay aware of their belongings while praying.

She acknowledged their efforts by stating, “They are the unsung heroes who are trying their utmost to keep our communities safe. They are the eyes and the ears of the police and law enforcement, that is why we need to appreciate and acknowledge the great work they are doing, while having families of their own.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that while the Mitchells Plain SAPS is aware of the incident, no case has been opened, and no arrest has been made.