A Rosebank Gautrain customer has raised concerns about the safety of passengers after he allegedly witnessed two thefts outside the station.
Thamasanqa Malinga said that on the evening of 30 January he witnessed two separate incidents where people had their phones snatched while waiting outside the station. He added that the thieves then made a quick getaway in waiting cars with no licence plates.
Malinga said he is concerned that thieves would become more brazen and target other Gautrain stations as well, as it appears that the security guards are unable to do anything about the thefts.
Barbara Jensen, the communication and marketing manager of Gautrain said, “We can, unfortunately, do very little from a law enforcement side as our jurisdiction stops at the stations. We are obviously very concerned about any incidents of crime that may impact on our passengers.”
Jensen added that they have had discussions about these ‘hotspots’ with the Metro Police Department and well as the police and other relevant authorities on a regular basis.
Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe, the spokesperson for the Rosebank Police Station, said they haven’t received reports of thefts outside the Gautrain station.
However, Mdletshe said that he was aware that there has been a problem with thefts outside the station although he could not disclose how many had taken place.
He added that it is very important for people to remain vigilant while waiting outside the station. The modus operandi suggests that the thieves take advantage of people who may not be paying attention to their surroundings.
Dear @TheGautrain and @Rosebank_MD c.c. @RK_Gazette earlier this evening I experienced 2 robberies outside the Rosebank Gautrain station. People's phones are snatched by thieves who then get into getaway cars and drive away (the card have no bacl registration plates)…..
— #BlameMeOnApartheid (@thami25) January 30, 2018
The 2 robberies happened within an hour of each other. The security outside the station is laxed, lazy would be a better description. The only thing that are good at is to tell you not to use your phone as there are people who snatch phones – THEY KNOW AND DON'T ACT TO APPREHEND
— #BlameMeOnApartheid (@thami25) January 30, 2018
It is said (by the Gautrain security) that this is a weekly (at times daily) occurance. REALLY NOW, we have a group using cars that the been spotted around the area and the same mondus operandi and NO ARRESTS!!!???? This shows a level of not caring by the Gautrain and RosebankMD
— #BlameMeOnApartheid (@thami25) January 30, 2018
This is what the security guards kept on saying. Problem is that is simply not attending to the problem. Let's rather go back to using our vehicles and dump @TheGautrain I'd rather get stuckbin traffic than get mugged using their train
— #BlameMeOnApartheid (@thami25) January 30, 2018
Here's what's good to happen, the criminals will see that nothing is done and they get brazen and upgrade to mug people in full view of everyone like it's happening in Jo'burg CBD. Next they will board the trains and mug is there. The security will say: WE SEE IT EVERYTIME….
— #BlameMeOnApartheid (@thami25) January 30, 2018
Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention. The safety & well-being of our passengers is a top priority & whilst we don't have jurisdiction to police areas outside of stations, we do work closely with the authorities to help make these spaces as safe as possible
— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) January 31, 2018
Have you been the victim of a theft while outside the Gautrain Station? Share your stories with laurap@caxton.co.za
Details:
Gautrain
Rosebank Police Station
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