Violent crime next to Rabie Street
Residents attacked with knives and bricks in Malanshof.
Multiple robberies and muggings have occurred near Rabie Street, where the road goes under the N1 Highway in Malanshof.
Some residents believe that vagrants living under the highway are responsible.
A young mother, Monique Grobler, was walking home when she was violently attacked on 22 January.
“A guy walked in front of her and asked for her earphones,” said Grobler’s mother, Linda Dale. ”He hit her with a brick in the face and she passed out. Her attacker also stabbed her in the leg and stole her cellphone. She woke up and had different pants on. They have to take most of her teeth out at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The doctors have to test for Aids and she is taking tablets.”
Fontainebleau resident Sylvia Legae was mugged at knifepoint on 17 January also while walking home.
“As I turned onto Rabie I saw a guy on the highway,” she said. “He jumped over the railing and ran towards me. He pulled a knife out and asked for my cellphone. Luckily I didn’t have one on me and he left. He touched my breasts and searched me.”
Another resident who wishes to remain anonymous said, ”Once during the night I heard calling, ‘Help me, Help me’. Another day my domestic worker said she heard shouting like a woman was being attacked. I think that this is directly due to the vagrants being allowed to live there.”
The area is situated on the shared border of the Linden and Honeydew police station’s jurisdiction.
”The police, together with Region B, have done numerous projects to help decrease crime in the area,” said Linden Police Station spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mulamu. ”According to crimes reported at the Linden Police Station, common robbery cases have been reported. This is a project that different city council departments are involved in. Social Development would be assisting in placing the vagrants to a place of safety, but they keep coming back.”
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood said he had contacted Metro police and was told a raid in the area would take place in the future.
Mulamu added, ”We urge residents not to put items that are no use to them on their pavements. We are certain that vagrants collect these items to make comfortable spaces to sleep.”
Details: Linden Police Station 011 888 9211/2/3 and Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood 082 853 2174.
