Wow, that sucks!
I can't advise on specific strategies as I have no idea of anything related to your property. But, I'll try to help with some general recommendations.
Preventative measures:
-Install better border security (barb wire etc.)
-Buy a dog to keep watch and alert of intruders
-Put bars on the windows
-Install motion sensor lights around the outside of the house (even better, you could have IR floodlights with cheap IR cameras. You could have these be triggered by motion and set off a "silent" alarm near the bed.)
Defensive measures:
-Set snares - Not kidding.
-Buy a gun if you don't already own one
-Designate a safe room. This room should be the go to place if someone breaks in. Of course, you'll want a gun in there.
I don't know what's like in SA, but here, we can shoot trespassers (in some states at least). How does it work there?
You could always put a sign out front that says something like "Congratulations to my neighbor Bob on his new purchase of 2 laptops and a home entertainment center".
