KABOKWENI – The community lives in fear after many people have become victims of the three men who are terrorising them on a daily basis.
The men, allegedly aged 19 to 23, have been doing this for more than a month.
They target certain locations such as the Mealieland Bridge, Maporo Bridge, and the Sandzile Road where they rob people at gunpoint. According to Mr Bheki Letswele, a community member who has seen them robbing two women employed at the local Shoprite, heard strange noises and decided to investigate.
“When I went to check what was happening, I heard the boys calling me by my name. They covered their faces while demanding cellphones and money from the women,” said Letswele.
He added they threatened to kill him.
“These thugs are making our lives very difficult as we are too afraid to venture out of our homes at night. Now I have a duty to escort these ladies home, as they fear for their lives. The attackers are believed to be from this area
They start as early as 19:00 and are also the masterminds behind local housebreakings. According to a victim who cannot be named for security reasons, they had robbed her of her handbag and cellphone.
“They told me they would kill me if I screamed.
“We don’t feel safe anymore because they know our whereabouts,” she said.
According to Capt Shirley Ngomane, police have increased visibility in the area and they have also engaged with the Community Police Forum (CPF) and sub-community police forum in an effort to patrol the area.
“The suspects pose a serious danger to the people as they are armed and we appeal to anyone who knows of their whereabouts to come forward so that we can apprehend them,” she said.
