A week before Christmas, Kensington resident and former Bedfordview and Edenvale news journalist Deirdre Maule was attacked in her car at the Cleveland train station intersection.
Her two children and friend were in the car with her and bore witness to the indomitable spirit of a mother who would defend those closest to her.
“As I stopped at the broken traffic light, a man came towards me, already armed with a fist-sized rock.
“I originally thought he was just another beggar and even told him I had nothing for him, but he started shouting at me saying he had a gun and demanded I give him my phone, which I threw into my passenger’s lap,” she said.
The man then grabbed Maule’s car keys out of the ignition, but she retaliated and grabbed his wrist.
According to Maule, she reckoned if he had a gun, he would have already been pointing it at her, so she wasn’t worried about it.
As Maule held him, he proceeded to beat her with the rock, causing severe damage to her right wrist.
“The adrenalin was coursing through my body, so the biggest surprise to him was the left-handed sucker punch to his face and he fell to the ground.
“As I got out of my car, the would-be robber ran away with my car keys.
“Two deep cuts, some broken teeth, and a torn inner lip were what I had to endure physically, but there was no way I was giving in to him.
“As I tried to contact emergency services, my friend pointed to the rivulets of blood running down my arm and I did not even realise just how badly I was bleeding.”
She said this is the second time someone has tried to take what was hers, and the second time she has fought back.
There are some mental and emotional injuries that she and her family have been managing, especially for the children.
“My nine-year-old had issues with sleeping, but he’s undergoing counselling to help with that.
“My children are both very proud of mom who fought back, and they know that I will always fight for them.
“What was unsettling was the lack of response from both the SAPS and the medical services.”
Her husband tried to call Cleveland SAPS; eventually, he had to drive there only to be told there were no vehicles available, yet, the next day, there was a shoot-out in Langermann Drive and seven police cars arrived.
As for the ambulance, they phoned and they were on scene three hours later.
“On the positive side, the Cleveland CPF chairperson, Muhammed Ismail, and our ward councillor, Neuren Pietersen, have both been in touch with me to improve the service at the police station as well as attempts to make the intersection a little safer.
“Also, the level of support that I received from friends and family has been overwhelming.
“I would like to thank the guys who stopped to help, Kaya and Xolani from the taxi, the man from Pick n Pay in Darras Centre, as well as the front desk staff, the nurses and the ER doctor at Bedford Gardens Hospital,” says Maule.
“There are also those who question whether I did the right thing in fighting back. The answer here is I did the only thing I could as instinct took over. Was that the best decision? Probably not; would I do it again? Probably yes. It’s who I am, it’s how I will always react.”
Cleveland SAPS Capt Johan Jordaan said an investigation into the allegations will take place and comment will be provided once the investigation has been concluded.
The NEWS attempted to obtain comment from City of Johannesburg EMS.
Attempts to contact the department was on January 8 and 9.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
