A DURBAN North resident is calling for urgent intervention at a park on the corner of Braemer Avenue and Inca Drive in Glenashley after he was attacked by two men who attempted to rob him while he was jogging past the area.

Gary Dean Rampono said the incident happened on Thursday (October 8) while he was on his way to the gym. “One of the men tried to hit me with a log that he had but I blocked it and broke my watch.”

Rampono, who runs past the park daily, said this was the first time he had experienced such an incident. “Never before have I had a problem, today was the exception.”

The open area in Ward 35 is allegedly being used by homeless people to consume alcohol and drugs. Runners and walkers who pass the park say the seating area is often occupied, with clothes, backpacks and other belongings, suggesting that people may be staying there.

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Rampono said he did not open a case as he was able to defend himself during the attack. He said he hoped his experience would raise the alarm about the deteriorating state of the park and warn other residents.

“There are runners and walkers that pass that park area daily, thank God it was me that was attacked and not a single female runner, because imagine what could have happened. This is an issue that needs to be rectified immediately, before something worse happens,” said Rampono.

“This is a major concern for residents and their families. Some of our children walk to and from school, our family members run or jog along these roads, we can’t even go to gym now. Please sort this out before it escalates. And to all those who run past that area, please be vigilant and protect yourself at all times.”

Stay alert

Ward councillor for the area, Bradley Singh, said while he was not aware of the incident initially, he would now be liaising with Durban Metro Police Services and the eThekwini Municipality.

“I will escalate the matter and consult with both Metro and the City to conduct an operation targeting those bushes. In the past operations involving various stakeholders, including the police, have targeted the dense vegetation around the ward in co-ordinated efforts to stop any informal dwellings. However, once the homeless are moved on they are back within a few days in the same spot. We don’t want to see attacks like this and I’m also cautioning runners and advising them to, if possible, run in groups,” he said.

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