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Women attacked in seperate incidents

Women targeted in seperate attacks.

A LEISURELY stroll near the uShaka Beach promenade turned into a nightmare for local runner Lou Ruffieux, who was attacked and strangled by an unknown man who was trying to snatch her gold chain last week. Despite witnesses watching the incident, nobody helped Ruffieux.

“I was showing some of the German tourists the sites of the promenade and we weren’t more than a kilometre from uShaka when I spotted a group of youngsters at the bins lining the pathway. I didn’t think there was anything sinister at play. All I remember is being hit with terrible force from behind as a man put his arm around my neck and began choking me.

“The man pushed down incredibly hard on my Adams apple and the force was so severe, he began to pull me backwards. I was paralysed with fear and instantly dropped my bag with my keys and money, hoping he would take it and run off but he was intent on grabbing my gold necklace,” she said.

Ruffieux added she wanted to kick the man in the crotch but her brain couldn’t function at the time. “Eventually he let go and snatched my chain, one of the witnesses began calling out to other people in the vicinity in Zulu to stop the thief and I gave chase. I ran into various building on Point Road looking for the man. I’ve had that gold chain for 20 years,” she said.

The Durban North resident opened a case with the SAPS later that day and was informed a Pretoria family was also attacked by possibly the same suspect, but they refused to press charges.

Something that leaves the former Swiss national incredulous. “The police didn’t want to let the guy go but they had do because they couldn’t charge the suspect with anything. We cannot be apathetic when it comes to crime. The municipality is pumping millions into tourism every year, but how is it they cannot afford to keep us safe. I’ve even offered my services to the police to go undercover, don a wig, wear some fake jewellery and catch the bastard,” she said.

In a separate incident near uMhlanga’s promenade, local resident, Laura Stander was attacked by a knife-wielding thug as she her approached her car on McCausland Crescent. “I’m a regular walker and as I neared my car, the man jumped out of the bushes and ran towards me with a knife. I fell backwards in fear and dropped my iPhone and my handbag. The man picked up my iPhone and was gone in a flash, quicker than grease lightning,” she said. Stander urged other residents to walk in groups and to always remain vigilant.

This incident follows an attack on an uMhlanga resident last week in a parking lot on Marine Drive. She was also attacked by an unknown man who tried strangling her while spitting profanities at her.

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