Criminals are still targeting the Wedgewood Country Club despite police promises that they are "rounding up" a syndicate operating in the Greenbushes area, the club says.

As a result of recent attacks and break-ins, the developers of the R1-billion golf estate at the club now plan to erect a 2,5m electrified surveillance fence around the entire course as soon as they get the necessary approvals from the council.

The police reported last week they had arrested three men and linked them to a syndicate responsible for muggings on the golf course and in surrounding areas.

Two weeks ago, a DA MPL, an MP and their friends were robbed of a cellphone and cash at Wedgwood while they were playing golf.

Also two weeks ago, the club's golf shop was broken into and R20,000 worth of goods were stolen. Last Tuesday, its halfway-house sandwich bar was burgled and cash and chocolates were stolen.

Kabega park police commissioner Captain Jesvin Arends said at the time the three arrested men would be questioned and police expected to nab other members of the group soon.

However, the golf course's management said this week it knew the names of the alleged criminals involved in the muggings and other incidents and had notified the police, but nothing had been done.

"We know who the perpetrators are, because I saw one of them wearing a custom-made jacket that we kept in the club's golf shop. We gave the information to the police, but they said they did not have enough proof to make any arrests," club owner Peter Sobek said.

The police had visited the club following both break-ins, but had not sent a team to take fingerprints as they had promised, he said.

Country club secretary Nicky Webb said the bad publicity the club had received because of the crimes was scaring members away from the golf course and club.

"We have had a major problem with armed robberies for more than a year now and the players are looking at us and are asking why we are not doing anything about the situation.

"But we get no help from police in the area," she said.

The Kabega Park police station could not confirm if they were investigating the crime syndicate or the recent burglaries at the club.

Area police spokesman Thembi Gwe said no cases had been reported to the police.

Despite the incidents, Cape Town- based Pinnacle Point Resorts (Pty) Ltd, the developers of the luxury Wedgewood Estate, say interest from would-be buyers remained high.

Last week, it was reported plot sales were progressing "steadily" and 25% of the 450 stands made available in the first phase had been sold.

The development's marketing manager, Simon Bezuidenhout, said local, national and international interest had been significant, especially from British and Scandinavian countries.

Builders were expected to start installing water, electricity and sewerage before the end of this year, he said.

The first transfers of properties would be effected by the middle of 2006, Bezuidenhout said.

Eastern Province Herald