TUT students, residents warned to avoid cemetery shortcut
"Students and residents have been robbed or raped while trying to use the cemetery as a shortcut."
Tshwane University of Technology students and residents have been warned to avoid using the Rebecca Street cemetery as a shortcut in Phillip Nel Park, following several rapes and robberies.
“Several students and residents have been robbed or raped while trying to use the cemetery as a shortcut instead of the main road,” said police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma.
“They use the cemetery route and not the main road that is when they get mugged or raped.”
Vuma warned the community who stay nearby to avoid using the route.
“From what we have gathered, this person is working alone. We want to urge students and residents to walk in groups. This will make it difficult for the criminal to approach. If you are alone, no one will assist you in case something happens.
“Police are patrolling the area but we would like to urge the students to avoid this route. We also want to urge the community to tell their children to avoid using the cemetery as a shortcut.”
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TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said the university was aware of the problem.
Tshisikhawe said the problem was caused by trespassers damaging the fence bordering the cemetery and the university campus.
“Students started using the hole in the damaged fence as an entrance or exit to or from campus. Students have been notified about this hotspot. Security personnel is constantly monitoring the hotspots and advising students not to go through the hotspot.”
She said the university has also put measures in place to urgently address the issue which includes:
– Increase of physical security personnel at the Pretoria campus.
– The damaged fence is being repaired so that people can stop using it as an entrance or exit point.
– Installation of a second Clear-Vu fence along the boundary of the cemetery and Pretoria campus to strengthen the border fence and make it difficult to be damaged.
– Installation of security cameras that will cover the boundary fence and the area next to the boundary fence, to support physical guarding.
– Clearing of trees that are reducing visibility in the affected area.
– Upgrade of the road and west gate of the campus in order to improve security.
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