Foot and vehicle bridges in Alex are said to be strategic spots for muggers, rapists and murderers of unsuspecting pedestrians crossing them at night.
This was said recently by Elizabeth Mokoena, social, gender and child abuse activist at Kidz Clinic. Mokoena is concerned that this could be another serial crime trend emerging like that of the Balaclava gang. The two-man gang are currently standing trial for numerous cases of rape and robberies they committed on victims they found in parks and secluded areas at night.
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Mokoena, who also works for the Victim Empowerment Unit at the Alex Police Station, said she knows of a reported attack and has heard of sightings of a perpetrator said to be operating from under the Jukskei river bridge on Vincent Tshabalala Road.
The culprit is said to operate alone, was aggressive and armed. ”
“There have also been reports of a group operating from under the Gautrain bridge over the East Bank Road and the same river in Ext 7. Not much has been said about them but, they could be linked with the lone perpetrator,” she said.
The assertion was supported by police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang who however, said at this stage, the reported incidents on, near and under the bridges were sporadic and still to be assessed if there was a trend or serial conduct. “Residents who walk through these areas particularly at night should however, be more careful, limit walking at night or do so in groups or pairs as safety in numbers is always a deterrent,” he said.
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The revelation comes after recent reports of attacks on victims in the Alex News including that of a man who was killed and robbed at night under or near the 18th Avenue bridge over the same river. His girlfriend was also robbed and raped and another woman, who was raped under the same bridge by a man who had asked to accompany her. People are killed, robbed or raped at night as they cross the Jukskei river foot bridge in Setswetla informal settlement.
Details: Elizabeth Mokoena 083 315 0748.
