PROJECT: HOUSEBREAKING - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME DURING BLACK FRIDAY AND THE FESTIVE SEASON (PART 2)
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RESIDENTIAL SECURITY, PREVENTION AND THE RESPONSE TO HOUSEBREAKING
With Black Friday on 27 November 2026 and the December holiday season approaching,
homeowners should review their residential security arrangements before increased shopping activity
and holiday travel place additional pressure on household safety.
The festive season creates particular vulnerabilities.
Expensive purchases enter homes, deliveries become more frequent, family members travel
and properties may remain unattended for extended periods.
Criminals may exploit visible purchases, careless information sharing, inadequate security systems
and predictable household routines. A residence does not have to be completely unprotected to become a target.
A single overlooked access point or an ineffective security procedure may create an opportunity.
Residential security should therefore extend beyond installing an alarm or locking the front door.
It requires a coordinated approach involving perimeter protection, access control, technology,
household awareness and preparation for emergencies.
SSS provides the following practical guidance to help homeowners reduce
their exposure to housebreaking and related residential crime.
1. BLACK FRIDAY: WHEN NEW PURCHASES CREATE NEW SECURITY RISKS
Black Friday introduces a particular residential security consideration: households often acquire expensive goods in a concentrated period.
Televisions, computers, mobile devices, gaming equipment, appliances, tools and other high-value purchases may increase the attractiveness of a property.
The risks do not end when the purchase is completed.
Criminals may identify valuable goods through visible packaging, delivery activity, discarded boxes or photographs posted online. Packaging left outside a residence can unintentionally advertise the type of equipment recently purchased.
SSS recommends the following precautions:
Avoid leaving expensive purchases visible through windows.
Arrange deliveries when someone trustworthy is available to receive them.
Do not leave valuable parcels unattended outside the property.
Dispose of packaging discreetly rather than advertising expensive purchases.
Record serial numbers and retain invoices for valuable electronic equipment.
Photograph important possessions for insurance and identification purposes.
Secure new purchases immediately rather than leaving them in vehicles or open garages.
Review household insurance cover where substantial new purchases have been made.
Consumers should also be cautious when buying expensive goods from private sellers. Fraudulent sellers and criminals offering stolen property may exploit the increased demand for discounted products.
2. THE FESTIVE SEASON: EMPTY HOMES BECOME ATTRACTIVE TARGETS
December is a period when many South Africans leave their homes for holidays, family visits and extended travel.
An unoccupied residence may remain vulnerable for several days or weeks, particularly when there is no trusted person monitoring the property.
Criminals may identify signs of prolonged absence, including accumulated post, unattended deliveries, neglected gardens, unchanged exterior conditions and repeated periods without visible household activity.
Before leaving home:
Test the alarm system and confirm that all components are functioning.
Check perimeter fencing, electric fencing, gates, locks and access points.
Ensure that CCTV cameras are operational and that recordings are accessible.
Test security lighting and backup power arrangements.
Arrange for a trusted person to monitor the property.
Arrange for post and deliveries to be collected.
Secure valuables, firearms, important documents and spare keys.
Ensure that emergency contact details are available to the person monitoring the property.
Avoid publicly announcing travel arrangements.
A trusted neighbour or property caretaker should know how to contact the homeowner and the relevant security response provider. However, sensitive security information should only be shared with people who genuinely require access to it.
3. DOMESTIC SECURITY SYSTEMS: TECHNOLOGY MUST BE MAINTAINED
CCTV cameras, alarm systems, electric fencing, security gates and access-control systems can contribute significantly to residential protection. However, equipment that is incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or inconsistently used may provide less protection than homeowners expect.
Common security weaknesses include:
Cameras with obstructed views or inadequate night-time visibility.
Systems that are not connected to a reliable monitoring service.
Alarm batteries that have not been tested or replaced.
Blind spots around secondary entrances.
Inadequate exterior lighting.
Unsecured Wi-Fi networks and poorly protected smart-home devices.
Access codes shared with too many people.
Delayed responses to alarm activations.
Homeowners should arrange periodic security assessments and ensure that equipment is maintained by reputable service providers.
CCTV footage should be retained in a manner that allows relevant recordings to be retrieved when an incident occurs. Where possible, systems should have appropriate backup arrangements in the event of electricity or connectivity failures.
Technology should support a broader security plan rather than create a false sense of protection.
4. PERIMETER, DOORS AND WINDOWS: PROTECT EVERY ACCESS POINT:
A property's security should be assessed as a complete system.
Homeowners should not focus exclusively on the front entrance while overlooking garages, side gates, back doors, patios, outbuildings and secondary access points.
Recommended precautions include:
PERIMETER SECURITY:
Inspect boundary walls, gates and fencing.
Repair damaged locks and access-control mechanisms.
Ensure that entrances are adequately illuminated.
Identify concealed areas around the property.
DOORS AND WINDOWS:
Secure all doors and windows before leaving.
Check secondary entrances and outbuildings.
Maintain locks, security gates and window fittings.
Never leave keys in predictable hiding places.
GARAGES AND OUTBUILDINGS:
Keep garage doors closed when not in use.
Secure tools and equipment.
Restrict access to vehicle keys and spare remotes.
Ensure that internal access between the garage and residence is secured.
A professional security assessment can help identify vulnerabilities that homeowners may overlook through familiarity with their own properties.
5. HOUSEHOLD AND EMPLOYEE SECURITY:
Household employees, contractors and service providers may require legitimate access to residential properties. Appropriate access management is essential.
Homeowners should:
Conduct appropriate identity and reference checks.
Verify contractors before allowing access.
Control keys, remotes and alarm codes.
Limit unnecessary access to valuables.
Avoid discussing household security arrangements unnecessarily.
Update access credentials when employment or service arrangements terminate.
Encourage the reporting of suspicious requests for information.
These measures are intended to protect households without unfairly treating legitimate employees and service providers as potential offenders.
6. NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY AND COMMUNITY COOPERATION:
Residential security is strengthened when neighbours communicate responsibly and report suspicious activity.
A coordinated neighbourhood approach can assist in identifying unusual behaviour, monitoring vulnerable properties and alerting residents to emerging risks.
Homeowners should:
Maintain communication with trusted neighbours.
Participate in established neighbourhood watch structures where available.
Report suspicious activity to SAPS and relevant security providers.
Share verified safety information rather than rumours.
Establish appropriate arrangements for property monitoring during holidays.
Ensure that emergency contact details are available to trusted neighbours.
Community vigilance must remain responsible. Unfamiliar people, vehicles or ordinary activity should not automatically be treated as criminal conduct. Suspicious behaviour should be assessed objectively and reported through appropriate channels.
7. WHAT CRIMINALS TARGET INSIDE A HOME:
Once inside a property, offenders may search for items that are valuable, portable and relatively easy to sell or conceal.
Common targets include:
Cash and foreign currency.
Jewellery and watches.
Mobile phones, laptops and tablets.
Televisions and entertainment equipment.
Firearms and ammunition.
Vehicles, vehicle keys and spare keys.
Tools and specialised equipment.
Identity documents, bank cards and confidential paperwork.
The theft of identity documents can create additional consequences beyond the immediate financial loss. Stolen documents may be used in impersonation, fraudulent applications, account manipulation and other criminal activities.
Homeowners should maintain an inventory of valuable possessions, secure firearms in accordance with applicable legislation and store important documents in a suitably protected location.
8. WHAT TO DO DURING A HOUSEBREAKING OR HOME INVASION:
The presence of occupants can change a property crime into a potentially violent incident.
If an intrusion is detected, homeowners should prioritise personal safety rather than attempting to protect possessions.
Do not confront or pursue armed offenders.
Move to a secure location if possible.
Contact SAPS and the relevant security response provider.
Follow established household emergency procedures.
Avoid making sudden movements or taking unnecessary risks if confronted.
Do not attempt to recover stolen property personally.
No electronic device, piece of jewellery or household possession is worth risking a life.
9. WHAT TO DO AFTER A HOUSEBREAKING:
The immediate response following a housebreaking can have a significant impact on the preservation of evidence and the subsequent investigation.
Victims should:
Ensure that all occupants are safe.
Contact SAPS and the relevant security response provider.
Avoid entering or moving through areas that may contain evidence.
Do not touch damaged doors, windows, locks or objects that may have been handled by offenders.
Identify missing property and compile an inventory.
Preserve available CCTV recordings and alarm-system records.
Record suspicious vehicles, individuals or activity observed before or during the incident.
Notify the relevant insurance provider.
Obtain the police case reference and retain all supporting documentation.
Evidence may include fingerprints, DNA material, tool marks, damaged access points, CCTV footage, electronic access records and witness accounts.
The scene should be preserved as far as possible until the appropriate authorities have attended and assessed it.
Victims should also be cautious of individuals who approach them after a burglary claiming to have recovered their property or offering to identify suspects in exchange for payment. Criminals sometimes exploit victims a second time through fraudulent recovery services.
10. LEGAL CONSEQUENCES:
Housebreaking, theft, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property and related criminal conduct are dealt with under South African criminal law.
The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 governs criminal procedure, including important aspects of investigation and prosecution. Depending on the circumstances, offences may also involve common-law theft, robbery, malicious injury to property and other applicable offences.
Where offenders act together, the investigation may examine common purpose, conspiracy or other forms of participation in criminal conduct, depending on the evidence.
A person who knowingly receives, conceals or assists in the disposal of stolen property may also face criminal consequences.
Members of the public should report suspicious activity and provide credible information to SAPS rather than attempting to conduct their own investigations or confront suspected offenders.
11. PRACTICAL SSS FESTIVE-SEASON HOME SECURITY CHECKLIST:
BEFORE LEAVING HOME:
Test alarm systems and CCTV.
Inspect gates, fences, locks and windows.
Secure firearms, valuables and important documents.
Arrange trusted property monitoring.
Collect or redirect deliveries and post.
Avoid publicising travel arrangements.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS:
Keep security systems activated.
Maintain communication with trusted neighbours.
Avoid sharing real-time location information.
Ensure that deliveries are supervised.
Report suspicious activity.
AFTER BLACK FRIDAY PURCHASES:
Secure valuable goods immediately.
Keep packaging out of public view.
Record serial numbers and retain invoices.
Update household insurance where necessary.
SECURITY IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT CANNOT BE PUT ON HOLIDAY
The Black Friday shopping period and the December holiday season introduce additional opportunities for criminals
to exploit residential vulnerabilities. Increased purchases, online deliveries, travel arrangements and unoccupied homes
all require careful consideration.
Home security is not achieved through one isolated measure. It depends on the combined effectiveness of physical protection, access control, maintained security technology, responsible information sharing and community cooperation.
SSS urges homeowners to review their residential security arrangements before the holiday period begins.
Identify weaknesses, address maintenance problems and establish reliable arrangements for monitoring properties
while occupants are away.
If a housebreaking occurs, preserve evidence, report the incident and allow the appropriate authorities to investigate.
Your home should remain protected even when you are away.
Do not allow festive-season excitement or Black Friday distractions to create opportunities that criminals can exploit.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
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