Residents are warned not to walk alone

Residents are warned not to walk alone in the streets, as a recent incident proved that this is not as safe as it once was.

While it was still light outside, just before 18:00, Daphne van Rensburg was tending to her garden at her home in Peacock Street, when she noticed a young girl of approximately 18-20, walking down the street.

Moments later, a man came from the opposite direction, and before Van Rensburg could look twice, he attacked the girl right there in full view.

“I couldn’t believe it. I started shouting at him,” she said, and mentioned that the culprit also had a knife. The girl and Van Rensburg made such a racket that he must have thought it best to flee.

“As far as I know she didn’t open a case at the SAPS, but was very lucky to have escaped unharmed. This man was clearly not afraid when he approached her with the weapon.” Van Rensburg said he had kicked the girl’s feet from under her before the struggle began. In the end, she managed to hold on to her cellphone and the man ran away, but not before warning her that he would remember her face.

Don’t let your children walk in the streets, especially in quiet neighbourhoods and during less busy times of the day. Women should make a point of walking in groups rather than on their own, and keeping to roads which are not deserted where they can draw attention should something happen. Should you have no other option but to walk, make sure you carry something with which you can defend yourself, like pepper spray. Be alert every step of the way.

Always let someone know where you are going, which route you will be taking and what time you will reach at your destination. You can also check in from time to time via SMS. That way they will know when to alert the SAPS or Hi-Tech Security.