Using pepper spray on hikers while out in nature seems to be the latest modus operandi used by criminals in George in the Western Cape who prey on unsuspecting victims.

Shawn Northey, the chairperson of Camphersdrift, Glen Barrie and Heatherlands Neighbourhood Watch, urges the public to be extremely vigilant when hiking in the forest.

“The way in which the suspects attacked their victims seems to be a new method of attack and this is not the first incident where pepper spray was used,” said Northey after two hikers were attacked this week.

Police, neighbourhood watches and members of the local community police forum are still on a manhunt for two perpetrators after two elderly women were assaulted and robbed of all their belongings on Monday afternoon.

The traumatic incident happened while the victims were walking their dogs in the forest near Plantation Road.

The suspects, armed with sticks and pepper spray, approached the victims on their walk and demanded all their personal belongings while beating them and their dogs with sticks and spraying them with pepper spray. The victims, who sustained serious injuries during the attack, tried to retaliate by using their own pepper spray and the attackers fled on foot towards Blanco.

Images of the victims that George Herald was privy to, showed one of the women with blood running from her head and face, and the other with a deep wound to her arm.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the victims noticed two men following them while they were walking. The men assaulted the women and robbed them of jewellery and other personal belongings. “One of the victims sustained injuries to the head and the other to the arm, believed to be inflicted with a stick,” he says.

The investigation officer, Warrant Officer Francois Kleyn, urges the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the assailants. Anyone with information may contact him at the George Detective Branch on 044 803 4715.

On the mend

Northey says despite their injuries and still being a bit shaken up, the victims are on the mend and are doing OK under the circumstances.

“We ask that they are respected at this time and given the time to sort things out. A trauma counsellor has been in contact with them and will assist where needed.”

He also reminds the public that when an incident occurs, they must not send out unverified information and photos on social media, as this might jeopardise a successful conviction. “Any additional information that is found can be relayed to your neighbourhood watch or police for further investigation,” he says.

George Herald requested comment from the victims, but they politely declined.

Keeping our forests safe

Keeping our forests safe (Kofs) is a community effort to help eliminate crime in the George forested and mountainous areas. It was established in 2021 after a spate of attacks in the Witfontein forest area.