A sunny morning walk turned ugly when Umdloti residents Francois and Karin Strydom were mugged at knifepoint in the Sibaya trail near Umdloti.

The couple, in their 30s, were enjoying the popular trail on Saturday, January 23 when a man approached them from behind with a knife and pepper spray in hand.

“He came past me because I was behind my husband and then when Francois turned around he was sprayed in the face,” said Karin.

Some thought had been put into the robbery because when Francois was down, the man then turned to Karin with the knife and demanded her backpack and other valuables, she said.

“It is just sad because we often walk and run on these trails because we think it’s safe. I have even run there alone a few times.”

Shortly after the man ran away, another walker arrived and phoned Marshall Security on their behalf.

Following a search of the area, no trace of the man was found but he was seen a few hours later on the N2 and was arrested by Marshall Security officers. He was taken to Durban North Saps and is in custody.

“We think it is an isolated incident because we have not heard anything else like this happening before, but it is worth being careful even when you think you are safe,” Karin said.