A local domestic worker fell victim to an armed robbery in Townsend Road on Tuesday afternoon after she was held at gunpoint and robbed of her cellphone.

According to the domestic worker’s employer, the domestic worker, who was too traumatised to speak to the Courier, was walking along Townsend Road on her way to

Ballito Drive after finishing work at approximately 3.30pm when a black vehicle with three occupants pulled up alongside her to allegedly to ask for directions.

After telling them she was not familiar with the area, the passenger in the back seat jumped out of the car and pointed a gun at her demanding her mobile and other valuables.

The women’s screams alerted a nearby homeowner who spotted what was happening and rushed out to help her, sending the man and his two accomplices speeding off in their getaway vehicle.

The homeowner, who did not wish to be named, identified the three occupants in the vehicle, as one female and two males. The two males occupants were also not wearing shirts.

“I heard screams and came out of my house and looked over the wall to see the incident unfolding. I shouted at them and I think that scared them off as the robber immediately jumped back into the vehicle and drove off.”

According to the woman’s employer there was also a large sum of money tucked into the back of her cellphone case.

“My domestic has been saving up to buy a second-hand fridge and unfortunately they made off with the cellphone and her savings which she had put there as she was on her way to the shop to put down a payment.”

Umhlali police said the areas surveillance camera’s installed at strategic points around Ballito, Chaka’s Rock, Salt Rock and Sheffield Beach picked up the registration number of the vehicle as it was leaving the area and flagged it to the various groups as stolen.

The cameras are linked to a nation wide automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera system.

The vehicle is a black Hyundai with a GP registration number. The three occupants are said to be in their late twenties.

Police have warned that this type of robbery was becoming more frequent, with offenders distracting their victims before robbing them.

Umhlali spokesperson Vinny Pillay said it appears the criminals were targeting the vulnerable, like domestic workers on their way to or from work.

Domestic workers have been warned to be vigilant and where possible to try and walk in big groups to avoid falling victim to muggings.

“It seems the criminals only take what they can get rid of quickly, like money and cellphones. We are urging pedestrians to be extra vigilant to avoid falling victim to street robberies,” said Captain Pillay.

Victims must open a case because if the police have all the information, with descriptions of the suspects, they can identify a trend and profile of the criminals,” Captain Pillay said.

A case has been opened at the Umhlali police station.

The SAPS provided these safety tips:

• Do not have your cellphone in your hand when walking in the street.
• Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
• If you are attacked, do not resist. Try to get a good look at the criminals so that you can give the police a description/identify them later.
• Be aware of being followed and of who is approaching you when walking.
• Do not ignore taxis stopping near you – always take note of the passengers disembarking.
• Whenever possible, walk in groups.
• Don’t talk to strangers.

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