POLOKWANE – A 59-year-old woman living in Koenig Street, Eduan Park, was sexually assaulted and robbed at knifepoint early Friday morning.
According to Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, a man entered the woman’s home by climbing through a window, which he was able to reach by means of a chair that had been standing outside.
Phala said the woman, who was asleep in her bed, woke up when her assailant shone his flashlight in her face. “The man forced the woman at knifepoint to show him where all her valuables in the house were. He collected these items that included two laptops, cell phones, cameras, jewellery and clothing, and put them in a suitcase that he had with him,” Phala described. He said the man gave the woman the option of being killed or being raped, and the woman chose not to be killed, upon which she was sexually assaulted.
Phala said all residents should make a point of finding out about the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in their area, and joining them in the fight against crime. He said the police were dedicated to working with CPF’s in making residents feel safe, as well as ensuring crime was stopped.
Antuanette Pretorius, a management member of the Edwel CPF, also again urged residents of Eduan Park and Welgelegen to join the CPF.
Pretorius said CPF members were extremely shocked to hear of the woman’s ordeal. “We as the CPF make a point of patrolling the area where our members live, and believe that if more people get involved in the CPF, incidents like this can be prevented. The CPF members are connected by means of two-way radios and this has proven to be a most effective form of communication,” she said. She added that on several occasions, the police had proven their commitment by responding quickly to a CPF member’s call for help by means of one of the two-way radios.
Phala said the police were investigating a case of burglary, as well as sexual assault. Anyone with information can contact Col Paggy Mhlongo at 082 565 8321.
