Criminals strike at local beaches

CRIMINALS have been active on the beaches at Southport and Shelly Beach recently.

In the latest incident a 19-year-old student from Pretoria was robbed of her cellphone and student card at Shelly Beach.

According to police reports the teenager was sitting on the beach listening to music at about 1.30pm when she was approached by a man who asked for money.

“He then produced a knife and threatened her. He fled with her cellphone, ID and student card,” said police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.

In another incident a family on holiday from Durban was walking on Pumula beach at about midday last Saturday when they were approached by three young men who threatened them with knives and demanded that they hand over their cellphone, jewellery and camera.

And last Sunday at about 2pm, a 33-year-old woman and her son, accompanied by a photographer, were attacked and robbed at Banana Beach. Local photographer, Andre du Toit, together with his model Ashton Chapman and Ashton’s mother, Angelique, had just completed the photo shoot and were walking back to their vehicles.

According to Mr du Toit two men walked past before suddenly attacking them from behind with knives.

The robbers fled with Mr du Toit’s camera equipment and Angelique’s cellphone. Mr du Toit added that he was able to fend off one of the men while the other went after Ashton and Angelique.

“I fell on the sand and both men jumped on me. Ashton came to help me and his mom managed to run away and call for help. A third man arrived and they then tried to break into a car. People nearby rushed to our aid and the men fled along the train tracks,” said Mr du Toit.

He added that police arrived minutes later but were unable to track  down the attackers. “The police were excellent. We are all grateful to be alive and unharmed. I want to warn the public to be vigilant at all times,” he added.

Major-General Thembi Ndlovu, cluster commander of Ugu cluster, has tasked police from the K9 Search and Rescue Unit to patrol and monitor the beaches and surrounding areas.

“We are concerned about these incidents and we will immediately put plans into action to arrest these criminals,” said Lt-Col Wiid.

Police have appealed to the public to be vigilant and not to walk in places they can become easy targets.

Maj-Gen Ndlovu has also raised concerns about the safety of vulnerable people such as senior citizens, holidaymakers and general public.

“With the festive season approaching, many people will be in a relaxed holiday spirit and that is exactly what criminals are waiting for. People should always be alert to the fact that there might be opportunists lurking,” she said.

She stressed that everyone should be extra vigilant when visiting crowded malls, when withdrawing money and when visiting beaches and relaxing at home.

No one was injured in any of the incidents and no arrests have been made.