Pensioner injured in ATM tussle

NORMA Cloete, a petite 78-year-old pensioner was knocked off her feet while at an ATM at the Glenwood Village Centre on pensioner's day last week.

According to Norma, she went to her regular Tuesday meeting at the library and went to check her balance at the ATM before going into Spar when saw a tall man at the ATM in front of her. “He took a receipt and took his card out and moved to the side of the ATM and I walked up. I noticed the screen wasn't right, and the man was in my face. He said there was something wrong with the machine and then said I could put my card in. At that moment a centre security guard came and asked if everything was alright,” explained Norma who was shocked by the whole incident.

Norma told the guard there was something wrong with the screen. “The next thing I knew, I was knocked to the ground, everybody stood still and thankfully a young man came out and asked if he could help me up and put me on a bench. Later someone from Spar and the centre manager came to check if I was okay.”

“I hurt my back and right wrist. My neighbour was at the centre and also came and checked on me and someone from the doctor's room took me to the doctor,” she said.

The traumatised Norma was examined by the doctor who found bruises on her back and a sprained right hand.

“I didn't expect it, it was so busy there, right in front of Spar with so many people around, someone should have grabbed him. I kept shouting that he had my purse and didn't realise I'd fallen back onto my purse. Someone said the second guy had a knife but I didn't see any of it, it happened too fast. I'm an active person and do yoga and gym but now it all has to be put on hold because I'm very sore at the moment,” she said.

What worry's Norma is that the incident occurred on Pensioners Day. “It's concerning that they could be targeting pensioners and Glenwood has a lot of retired people. The psychological trauma was really terrible and I am grateful that I wasn't hurt further,” she added.

Centre manager at Glenwood Village, Vanessa Rhynes said it was regrettable that Norma, a regular customer, got caught in the middle of their security guard trying to stop the suspect from intercepting her card. “We are aware of ATM robbery syndicates around the country which is an ongoing problem at shopping centres. Because of such incidents, we have employed extra guards at ATMS and have CCTV footage to work on the problem. We will also employ an additional guard over the busy festive period.”

With regard to vagrants outside the centre, Rhynes said she was in contact with Metro Police and SAPS and had asked for more regular patrols in the area. “I look forward to police implementing the new bylaws that will alleviate the problem we have with vagrants and alien car guards,” she added.