Climbing the ‘100 Steps’ to crime?
The boy took out his cell-phone to see what the time was and the two suspects snatched the phone out of his hand
The ‘100 Steps’ shortcut that leads up from Ladysmith High School (LHS) to Shearer Road near Egerton Primary School has again come under the spotlight for criminal activity.
There was once a time when this hillside pathway was considered perfectly safe to use by pedestrians, including schoolchildren, but this is no longer the case. Shortcuts around town seem to be crime hotspots, with predators known to pounce on “unwitting walkers” and steal their personal belongings.
The most recent incident involved a 16-year-old and his friend, who were robbed of their cell-phones while on their way to school on Thursday, February 26. The two teenagers were walking down a hill in the Egerton area when they were approached by two people who asked them for the time.
The 16-year-old took out his cell-phone to see what the exact time was and the two suspects snatched the phone out of his hand. They also took the friend’s cell-phone before fleeing on foot.
Police searched the area, but could not find the suspects. According to police, a case of common robbery has been opened.
Local resident Kevin Prinsloo, who lives right next to the 100 Steps, says the Egerton area has become a danger zone due to the many criminal activities that have taken place recently.
“Robbers hide and target their victims. They watch their would-be victims and wait for the right opportunity to make their move,” says Kevin.
Residents now fear for their lives. Schoolchildren regularly use the shortcuts near Egerton and LHS, and parents are worried something terrible is going to happen to them. A Ladysmith Gazette journalist recently walked up the 100 Steps to take some photos of the area and found clothes dumped along the pathway. Kevin is fed up with the constant crime in the area and says that a petition has been signed by many residents to close off the shortcut.
However, the municipality has not done anything about the situation.
“Not only is this pathway a danger to all who use it, but it also serves as an escape route for criminals. Something should definitely be done about it in the interests of people’s safety and curbing crime in the area,” adds Kevin.
