PEOPLE living in Deepvale Road, Protea Road and Watterson Street in Marburg have tried everything they can think of to rid their streets of prostitutes.
And they now claim that the ladies-of-the-night have drawn a deadly criminal element to the area.
Residents say numerous calls to the police and to the municipality have been in vain and, after three years, sex workers still meet their clients along these roads, especially in the evenings.
Last Sunday a man, believed to have been visiting a prostitute in Deepvale Road, died after he was stabbed several times.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said the man was attacked by three men at about 12.30am while he was with a woman.
“She ran away, but the man was stabbed several times in the chest and back and died at the scene. He was also robbed of his cellphone and cash,” she said.
Even more shocking, it is believed the suspects then went to Marburg Sports Complex where they attacked another couple in their car.
They locked the man in the boot and drove around with the woman in the front seat until the car’s anti-hijack system kicked in.
The vehicle came to a standstill and the men fled.
The woman called the police. Port Shepstone K9 unit officers responded and freed the man from the boot.
Residents say that prostitution is rife with women and young girls plying their trade, apparently for as little as R50.
They use nearby bushes, business properties, residential areas and the parking lot at the Marburg Sports Complex to meet up with their clients. As a result, several home owners have sold up and moved away.
“It was too embarrassing when we had visitors over at home,” said one.
Another resident said prostitution definitely contributed to increased crime and more drugs in the area.
“But I believe we as residents also need to get more involved in fighting crime in this area. Often we just sit back and overlook people loitering in the area. We need to phone the police or security companies,” he said.
Meanwhile, police warned people that it was not safe to be alone in dark and deserted places. “Anyone can fall prey to criminals,” said Lt-Col Wiid.
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