Mugger attacks female walkers
A woman was punched in the face while exercising with friends.
EARLY morning exercise had an unhealthy outcome for four female Empangeni walkers who were physically assaulted, robbed of their running shoes and threatened with rape.
The incident happened at 5.15am on Friday opposite a large tract of bush before the Flamingo Road entrance in Louis Botha Avenue.
The four were stopped by a young man of average height, wearing a blue jacket and carrying a backpack.
The women, who wish to remain anonymous, said the man aggressively ordered them to hand over their running shoes before violently punching one in the face and pushing another to the ground, grabbing their shoes and fleeing the scene.
Reported on the Empangeni Reporting Criminal Activity Facebook page, run by Business Against Crime Manager, Dave Whittaker, resident Ann Dillon said the incident was ‘horrendous’.
Whittaker said residents taking early morning or late afternoon jogs or walks should be alert.
‘Athletes should train in large groups and avoid bushy areas.
‘Pepper spray is good to have in hand and also try to have one person with a cellphone on them with an armed response company on speed dial in case of an emergency,’ he said.
