Athlone residents say they are being targeted by wheelie bin thieves who have left their area littered with vullis.
On Monday night, a skelm was caught on CCTV stealing a wheelie bin from an Alicedale Estate home.
The man, who was wearing a balaclava, can be seen lowering the top half of his body over the vibracrete wall, and slowly lifting the black bin up before pulling it over the wall and wheeling it off.
The homeowner says: “It happened at around 10.30pm when this idiot stole my bin and I was not paying attention to the cameras and as my dog is in the process of giving birth, it did not even bark.
“I was upset when I saw the footage, if he could steal my bin like that, what stops him from getting into my property?”
Resident Ursula Hammond-Cupido says several bins have been stolen and the skelms throw out the dirt when they go.
She says the matter was reported to the City of Cape Town but all they got was a reference number.
“They should confiscate black bins from the bin scratchers,” she says.
The video was posted on Facebook and users commented that the bins are being stolen to use in other crimes, with one woman saying: “OMW! It’s getting worse by the day. That’s to put all their stolen goods in.”
CCTV: Footage of a skelm stealing bin. Video supplied
Luthando Tyhalibhongo, spokesman for the City of Cape Town, says stolen bins must be reported to SAPS, and bins are replaced by the City at no additional charge.
“Neighbourhood watches can act as deterrents for persons who are stragglers in the areas on refuse day,” he says.
Stolen bins can be reported to 086 010 3089 or wastewise.user@capetown.gov.za.
nomzamo.yuku@inl.co.za