ANONYMOUS writes:
I would like to raise awareness of the continued robberies close to Birchleigh Station.
I have been a victim of these guys twice now. I work in Pretoria and drop off at the Engen garage across the road from the station.
The first time it was in the evening and three guys appeared from nowhere, one holding a gun and the other two knives. They held up myself and another guy who was behind me and forced us to march to the railway tracks, where they sat us down, tied us up and robbed us of all we had.
I have been robbed yet again as I was walking to catch a taxi to work. They came running, seemingly from somewhere along the railway tracks. This time there were four of them, one with a gun and the others with knives. They took my wallet and ran towards the railway tracks.
I have heard several complaints from Birchleigh residents about this gang and think it is time something is done about them as they will soon hurt someone. It is horrible to be afraid of going to and from work because of these evil people.
I did call the police and was told they would step up patrols around the area but I feel it is my duty to speak about this as I now fear for my life every time I come from work.
They become more active as it becomes darker earlier and this is very worrying.
Capt Lesibana Molokomme, Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, replies:
As Anonymous had not opened a case at the station, it makes it difficult for me to comment on the matter.
We cannot know if the area is a crime hotspot or not if people do not open cases. It is advisable that people open cases against criminals to assist us in assisting them and help in identifying high criminal activity in areas.
