Sister almost experiences a repeat of mugging a week later

After recent muggings, Benoni police, a concerned parent and Benoni High School principal Jake Ceronio, are appealing to children to be more vigilant when walking to and from school.

The concerned parent from Benoni High School recently contacted the City Times, about both of her daughters being approached by perpetrators.

“My eldest daughter in Grade 11 was mugged the previous Friday (November 11); and her cellphone was taken,” said the parent, who didn’t want to be named.

“My youngest daughter, who is in Grade Nine, was also approached by a man this past Friday (November 18), but she was more aware after her sister’s incident, so she just ran.

“Parents need to be more aware of what is going on, because these guys are armed.”

Ceronio is aware of four incidents of muggings recently.

He said the school had sent out SMSs notifying parents to warn their children.

“Having cellphones doesn’t protect a youngster – instead, it makes them a target,” Ceronio said.

He also added that muggings are a general problem and so, being vigilant is vital.

According to Benoni SAPS spokesperson, Const Zunickha Essakjee, no cases of mugging have been opened in the last month.

“Parents need to report these cases to the police, so that we can have some idea of what the suspect looks like – and then we can search for them,” she said.

The City Times spoke to the principals of Hoërskool Brandwag (James Wright) and Hoërskool Hans Moore (Ertjies Hattingh), but they said no incidents of muggings outside their schools were brought to their attention.