Ms Jacqui Vermaak said she was driving through the intersection of Allum Road and Albertina Sisulu Drive in Bruma when she was stopped by two young men dancing in front of her car.
“I read a message on my cellular phone and placed the phone on the seat next to me. One man was dancing in front of me. I heard a loud bang and saw a man trying to steal my phone off the seat. I managed to grab the man by his jacket, but I had to let go after being cut by the broken glass,” she said.
Another motorist saw what had happened and helped Ms Vermaak get to the nearest petrol station so that she could wash the blood from her hands.
“While I was at the petrol station, a Bedfordview SAPS vehicle arrived. Someone had told them about the incident. They did not even come and ask if I needed any help. They simply shouted that I should call the Cleveland SAPS,” said Ms Vermaak said.
Ms Vermaak said she lost valuable pictures which she will not be able to get again.
“The phone is blocked. It is of no use to anyone now. But I have lost the pictures of my friend who died a week ago. Pictures like those were the only thing I was left with and I cannot have them back. This is the life we live since no one cares to do something about these people,” she said.
According to Sergeant Mduduzi Nhlabathi, from the Bedfordview SAPS, the matter was reported to the police and will be investigated.
“Police officers are not supposed to run away from a person in need. Yes, the part where the incident is said to have taken place is under the Cleveland SAPS precinct, but as police officers we work for the South African Police Services. The officers were supposed to see what help the could give, while calling the relevant station to attend to her,” he said.
Sgt Nhlabathi said he will follow up on the matter.
He also said the necessary steps will be taken against the officers if the matter is reported.
The Cleveland SAPS communications officer, Constable Mpho Mashakane, urged residents to report such incidents.
“We struggle with removing people from these intersections. There is no law that allows us to put them behind bars, unless they have committed a crime. We remove them but they come back again. If we can have cases reported against them, we can arrest them. We need our communities to report these people,” she said.
She also urged motorists to be more vigilant and to not put their valuables on front seats.
The EXPRESS visited the intersection in question. The two men at the intersection denied smashing Ms Vermaak’s window.
“There are four of us dancing here at different times. But we did not do it. This is where we get our bread, we cannot spoil that. Also, if we did it, I think we would have moved away from this intersection,” said Kgotso Mthombeni.
His friend, Sibusiso Nkosi, concurred with him.
