AfriForum warns of crime at Wi-Fi hotspots
Wi-Fi hotspots are still rife with crime in the west of Pretoria.
The AfriForum neighbourhood watch has warned residents about crime in public Wi-Fi hotspots in the west of Pretoria.
Branch chairperson Francois Oberholzer said there were two robberies at the Elandspoort and Proclamation Hill Wi-Fi hotspots on Monday.
“A man was robbed after he had just gotten out of a taxi around 18:00. A group of armed men grabbed him and took him to the bushes where they tied him up,” he said.
“The suspects searched him and took his laptop, money and cellphones. The victim managed to untie himself and called for help.”
In another incident in Proclamation Hill, a man was robbed of his phone and laptop as he was leaving the Wi-Fi hotspot, said Oberholzer.
Oberholzer warned residents in the west of Pretoria about the increase in robberies, especially in the Wi-Fi hotspot areas.
“People should avoid hotspots when they knock off work because criminals are targeting them,” he said.
“We ask the community to assist us in fighting crime.”
Oberholzer thanked the Rapid Rail Police Unit for assisting them during patrols.
Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale earlier urged people not to visit hotspots alone, and added that the police needed to keep an eye.
“It remains the role of police to make the city safer. Ultimately, the police need to trace these stolen items. The metro is in the process of installing CCTV [cameras] and streetlights at certain hotspots such as Sunnyside and Church Square to make it safer.”
“We also have a safety app people can use. When you send a message that you are in danger, it will alert the nearest metro police officers to you so you can get help quickly,” he said.
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