Fear and anger after many robberies
Children and women are easy targets in this area.
SINCE 2006 residents of Scorpen Lane, Rathboneville (Mbango) have been living in fear of being mugged either on their property or on the road.
Many angry residents claimed that Rathboneville is a haven for crime and, more especially, pedestrians have been easy targets.
Thugs prey on women who walk from Marburg on the R102 onto Scorpen Lane.
Recently Jabula Ngcobo (38) was attacked and robbed by two men who pounced on her from a nearby bushy area. “I was on my way to work at Mbango Valley in the morning when two men approached me. They held me at knife point and demanded cash, cellphones and my handbag. Before fleeing one of the men cut me on my arm and my hand,” said Ms Ngcobo.
“For many years the community has been asking the municipality to clear the bushy area along the road,” said Japie de Heer.
He added that,almost every Sunday, women and children are victims of crime. “One day I responded to a woman screaming for help. I ran out my driveway and witnessed the attacker dragging the woman into the bushes. I shouted and the man left her and fled. Police were called and a search was done, but no arrests were made,” said Mr de Heer.
‘MG’ Matoti said all these attacks could be avoided if the bushy area at the end of Scorpen Lane was cleared. “Children and women are easy targets in this area. People fear for their lives. Is the municipality going to come to our rescue before someone gets raped or murdered? ” he asked.
Another serious problem along Scorpen Lane is illegal dumping. Mr de Heer suggested that signs be posted along the road directing people to transfer stations. He also urged locals to be vigilant and report culprits to the police or Hibiscus Coast Law Enforcement.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said, with regard to Ms Ngcobo’s incident, a robbery case is being investigated. No arrests have yet been made.
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