On Sunday, January 25 a robbery occurred in the Klarinet Industrial area. The victim was on his cell phone while apparently standing next to the road, when he was approached by three unknown suspects. They apparently shouted and insulted him while he was on the phone. He ended the call to confront them, when they pulled out a knife.
The victim was apparently forced to the ground and a shirt was placed over his head to prevent him from getting a good look at the robbers. They took all his belonging in a sports bag that he was carrying, including his cell phone and all his cash.
A car hijacking occurred in the morning on January 27. Two people were making a delivery but as they stopped in the parking lot of their destination, another vehicle pulled up next to them. The delivery men intended to unload the bakkie when the robbers in Nissan Juke, that parked next to them, jumped out and threatened them with a firearm. One of the robbers got into passenger seat and ordered the driver to drive to the R555 while the Nissan followed them. They were left next to the road as the robbers escaped with the bakkie.
On January 28 at about 15:30 a woman was robbed at knife point in the Central Business District. The robber apparently grabbed her bag and ran away.
On the same day an armed robbery occurred at 20:30 in the CBD. A victim was apparently attacked by three robbers who pulled up next to him in a Fiat. The vehicle model seems unknown.
One of the robbers had a firearm while the other two allegedly stole his cash, cell phone and a USB stick before driving away.
Capt Eddie Hall of Witbank SAPS noted that there are several robberies that were committed with a knife. These crimes are usually linked to common robbery and the criminals target individuals who are travelling alone.
“Always try to travel in groups whenever possible, especially in the CBD area. The SAPS are focusing on increasing police presence in the CBD to deter crimes,” said Capt Hall.
