The drastic increase in the number of armed robbery incidents in eMalahleni is becoming a cause for serious concern as troubling incidents keep occurring on almost every street.

Three incidents occurred in the same week in different parts of eMalahleni in which armed robbers took advantage of pedestrians they found on the streets in the evening, robbing them of their cellphones.

In one incident that occurred on May 13, Doctor Masemola said he was at Beatty Street CBD waiting for his transport to work at around 18:00 when he was suddenly attacked by two men who allegedly pointed at him with a firearm. The men robbed him of his phone and fled, leaving him with no harm.

On the same evening around 20:00, another incident occurred in Klarinet Extension 3. A mother alleged that her daughter was standing by their gate with her friends when the nightmare unfolded.

A car with two men stopped next to them and they pretended to ask for directions. After a few minutes, they drove off, only to turn back on a different note, allegedly pointing at them with a firearm and demanding their phones.

“Everything happened so fast,” the mother explained, adding that by the time she went out to check, it was already too late.

In another incident, Surprise Matsane said he had just returned from work around 19:30, parked his car, and was going to catch a taxi to town, only to be approached by two men who came from the Allenby Street, seemingly harmless at a distance.

The men demanded his phone, and as he kept on refusing, one of them allegedly took out a gun and pointed at him. They robbed him of his phone and the cash he had on him.

Spokesperson for the Witbank Police Station, Captain Eddie Hall, warns the public to always be vigilant during evening hours.

“Pedestrians should limit their night time trips, travel with a companion when possible, and always be aware of their surroundings, particularly when using public transport or walking alone,” he said.

Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram or TikTok

Chat to us: info@witbanknews.co.za