Robbery in Polokwane CBD highlights growing downtown crime crisis
A young woman’s daylight robbery in Polokwane’s CBD reignites safety concerns as traders and residents decry rising crime and drug use downtown.
POLOKWANE – A recent account of an aggravating robbery incident by a victim in the central business district has reiterated what seems to be a general view that the area, especially downtown, faces a dire safety hazard for shoppers, workers and businesspeople alike.
The young female reported that while walking to a hair salon, a man appeared, shouting that she owed him money and should return it immediately. This happened near the corner of Church and Rissik streets.
“I have never seen him before,” she mentioned. She was slapped, with her bag and cellphone snatched before he fled. It appeared that overpopulation and the crowded activity of street sellers, vagrants and commuting shoppers contributed to a front that makes it easy for crime to thrive, the anonymous woman detailed.
Polokwane Observer engaged street sellers who said incidents such as these were common and had created a fear of shopping or running a business in the area without protection. They noted that the area remains one of the most active business zones sustaining the local economy and providing jobs.
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Sellers said that police and municipal patrols have not deterred criminals, who often use weapons, with several recent reports of gun and knife-related incidents.
They also highlighted the area’s growing reputation as a drug hotspot.
“It is easy to see who uses the drugs because apart from using openly, they also show it physically. But it’s hard to identify who the sellers are,” another explained.
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Community Policing Forum chairperson, Rudolph Phaswana, said more personnel support is required to patrol the area.
He again called on businesspeople to take safety seriously and volunteer through the Polokwane Police Station’s initiatives. Phaswana stressed that safety is a shared responsibility and he urged locals to report suspicious activity.
Police had still not replied to a request for comment by the time of going to print.
