A resident, Peter Node, has urged motorists to be vigilant when driving along Prince’s Avenue in the CBD after his cellphone was recently snatched while he was stationary at an intersection.
According to Node, while at the traffic lights on the corner of Prince’s Avenue and Voortrekker Street, his phone rang and he answered it.
“As I was speaking on the phone, a man grabbed my phone from my open window and ran away,” he said.
“I got out of my car to run after the suspect but decided not to as my car was standing in the middle of the road. When I got to the police station, the police refused to open a case and only gave me an OB number.
“The police also seemed unbothered as they publicly revealed that they’ve registered numerous cases of such incidences on that road,” said Node.
The victim said he feels that the police are not doing enough to curb the robberies.
A local businessman who operates his business in Prince’s Avenue said the increase of common robberies has affected his business.
The businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, said they have had fewer feet coming to the store due to the robberies.
Anonymous said he has witnessed many robberies, more especially those of cellphone snatching.
“Every week at least two cellphones are stolen on this road. The criminals are not only targeting pedestrians but motorists too.
“They even steal equipment or tools from the back of the bakkies waiting at the traffic lights and then run to the plaza area.”
The eyewitness added that in some instances when victims manage to apprehend the suspects, they demand R500 or more before they give the phone back.
“I think police should install warning signs in Prince’s Avenue to alert the public because some people don’t realise this is happening often now,” said anonymous.
The Benoni SAPS indicated that these types of robberies are not only happening on Prince’s Avenue but across the Benoni CBD.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said: “As part of our efforts to fight crime, we will intensify police visibility in the CBD. We will also implement other measures that will also assist in combating crimes like these.
“We urge the community to be on high alert and remain the eyes and ears of the police about any suspicious activities. Come forward with any information that can assist police to apprehend the suspects,” said Sekele.
Sekele said they’ve found that vagrants living at the neglected plaza precinct commit crimes around the CBD and disappear into manholes at the plaza.
“The public should refrain from walking around the plaza but rather use the main roads to get to their destination,” said Sekele.
The police advise motorists to close their windows and lock their doors when driving in the Benoni CBD.
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