Prostitution and armed robberies are allegedly a problem in Pretoria West near Von Hagen Street.
There are several men and women living next to the stream near Von Hagen Street who allegedly rob people crossing the bridge, while the women are apparently selling their bodies.
According to community member, Erick Cordier he discovered the people living at the stream when tyres were burnt near the stream recently. “The people used to live near the golf course in Pretoria West until the metro police removed them from there, but now they live here,” said Cordier.
He said since they live there, there has been a lot of problems in the area. One of the people living there said that they have nowhere else to go and that the police is aware of the fact that they live there.
“The police come here and search us. They know about us,” he said.
The man also said that they have been living there for four months now.
According to police provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, police are aware that women soliciting for the purpose of prostitution linger in the area.
“Several arrests have been made but the cases have been withdrawn at court due to insufficient evidence,” Dlamini said.
South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) chairperson, Nagesh Chetty said the financial situation and unemployment in the country contribute to people turning to robbery and prostitution.
“We as Sanco feel that dignity is being lost, as prostitution causes society to break. The unemployed people look for ways to make money and in those ways they end up robbing community members and learners going to school. People have to walk over the bridge and it is not safe for them anymore.”
Chetty mentioned that open fields that are hidden from public sight are used for prostitution.
Community members want something to be done about the robberies and prostitution taking place because it is near a high school.
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