Community raises concern over Wi-Fi hotspot muggings
"Two of my neighbour’s daughters were sprayed with paper sprays before their phones were taken while my sister's child’s phone was taken in the same area. A fellow church member and his girlfriend’s phones were taken at the same place.”
Soshanguve residents have requested more police visibility at the Boikhutsong community hall Wi-Fi hotspots due to criminal activity. Community members told Rekord that several among them had been mugged in the area in block PP. One 17-year-old victim who requested to remain anonymous, said he and a number of friends was approached by two men. “An argument broke out and they started beating us up and my friends managed to escape,” he said. “One of them slapped me on my mouth and I apologised but he hit me again. The other one took out a knife; so I gave him my phone and they left.” 
The victim’s mother, said her son was not the first victim that she knew of, as two of her neighbour’s children, her sister’s child, and fellow church members had all fallen victims of muggings in the area. “Two of my neighbour’s daughters were sprayed with pepper spray in their faces before their phones were taken while my sister’s child’s phone was taken in the same area. “A fellow church member and his girlfriend’s phones were taken at the same place.” She said her heart was broken as her son had worked hard to buy the phone that was taken from him. “He was working for someone who sells vegetables during the lockdown. He used to give me R50 when he got paid so he could have enough to buy that phone. “Now it is gone, it didn’t even last three months. I’m really sad as he bought this phone with his own money and I know how it is hurting him. 
“This thing of the Wi-Fi being far from the houses is not right as they could have stabbed my son to death. I always urged him to give them the phone if they demand it as his life is more important than the phone.” Another community member said areas with Wi-Fi in Soshanguve had become a target for criminals. “Almost every day we hear complaints about phones and laptops being taken. They target these places. “One time they took the equipment of a photographer who was loading photos he had been taking over the weekend. They took his laptop and camera.” Former councillor in the area Rose Maake said despite the Wi-Fi hotspots being helpful to the community, it had become dangerous as criminals were targeting unsuspecting victims in those hotspots. “It is so sad that something good has turned out to be bad. Kids should be safe in these Wi-F hotspots. Police must ensure that the kids are safe cause they need that Wi-Fi.” Maake said she will be engaging police and CPF to come up with a solution that will benefit the users of these Wi-Fi hotspots. “We cannot just say the Wi-Fi should be removed in that area because it is needed. Those who are studying need it for research and all sorts of things. ALSO READ: Large police presence at CBD protest “The engagement with the stakeholders and the community members will help to identify these criminals.” Constable Portia Sebone said police are urging the community to be more vigilant when visiting Wi-Fi hotspots especially students and to look after their gadgets, to avoid being the targets. “Some of the Wi-fi spots we disconnected during the level 4 lockdown regulations, due to a large number of gathering. “Anyone who has been victim of similar modus operandi may contact Soshanguve police on 012-730-1300 or use My SAPSs App.” Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
