Foot and vehicle bridges in Alex have become hotspots for mugging, raping and the murder of pedestrians at night.
This was said recently by Elizabeth Mokoena, a social, gender and child activist at Kidz Clinic who expressed concern that this could be another emerging trend of opportunistic criminals on the prowl, like the balaclava gang. The two men who allegedly terrorised Alex residents for many years, are currently standing trial on numerous rape and robbery charges committed in parks and secluded areas at night.
In the latest spate of attacks, Mokoena said several victims had reported being attacked by a man said to operate from under the bridge over the Jukskei River on Vincent Tshabalala Road. Mokoena said the perpetrator is said to be armed and aggressive.
“Another group is also reported to be operating from near the Gautrain bridge over East Bank Road in Extension 7. They are said to have attacked several victims. It’s unknown if the two are related,” she said.
The incidents were confirmed by police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang who, however, said they were regarded as sporadic and not a trend. He said a man and his female companion were murdered recently on the Jukskei River bridge. “Residents who walk through these areas should exercise due care, limit walking at night, or do so in groups or pairs, as safety in numbers is always a deterrent,” he said.
Kodisang also confirmed the reports in Alex News about a man who was killed and robbed at night under or near the 18th Avenue bridge over the Jukskei River while his girlfriend was robbed; a woman was raped under the same bridge by a man who had asked to accompany her; and other instances of people being killed, robbed or raped at night as they crossed the footbridge over the same river in Setswetla Informal Settlement.
Details: Elizabeth Mokoena 083 315 0748.
