Delmore robbery leaves husband in ICU

According to residents, crime is a constant issue and they are frustrated by lack of police action to resolve the problem.

There are apparent robberies taking place, often on the corner of Commissioner Street and Wit Deep Road.

Apparently, the robbers attack the victims before escaping into the vacant plots that are covered by long grass, where they hide for a short while and then return to strike again.

One of the people who live in the neighbourhood, Letitia Oliphant, says she and her husband, Alphonfus, recently fell victims to such a gang of criminals.

According to Letitia, in the early morning hours of October 21, her husband escorted her to Commissioner Street, where she was supposed to take a taxi to work.

This is when a gang of six robbers confronted them and held them at gunpoint.

Alphonfus tried to shield his wife, before one of the robbers opened fire on him. Five of them then fled, leaving the shooter tussling with the husband.

Three more shots were fired, leaving Alphonsus badly wounded.

Fortunately, at the time, a concerned and brave woman – a Metro bus driver transporting school children – spotted the injured man and pulled over.

She immediately called an ambulance and the police.

Alphonfus was rushed to hospital in an extremely critical condition, and he spent days in an intensive care unit (ICU).

He was discharged on Monday, November 10, recovering slowly.

Letitia is concerned that the criminals are still walking free, and they are likely to attack other residents walking along the area to commute to work during the early morning hours.

“These men are still loose in our neighbourhood, and all the women going to work in the mornings fear for their lives, because police are not doing enough to address crime.

“This is an indication of the police’s inability to protect residents from harm, which had led to the lack of trust and faith in the police.”

Letitia says that the lack of police visibility had made it possible for criminals to continue terrorising the community.

She also accuses the police of not taking their case very serious, as they have, according to her, failed to visit the family in order to take a statement about the robbery.

She claims that police took more than two weeks to take a statement.

“I have called the Reiger Park station and all they could tell me is that the sergeant is on leave. Therefore, in the meantime, my husband can die and nothing will be done to this case because the investigator is on leave and nobody else can assist,” says Letitia.

A spokesperson for the Reiger Park SAPS, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, confirmed the life-threatening robbery and admitted that the area has become a crime hotspot.

“Several serious and minor crimes including armed robberies, smash-and-grab robberies, bag snatching and others had been reported. Criminals are targeting people walking along the area in the early morning hours and evening,” confirmed Phathela.

“We will increase visibility and step up patrols, especially during peak crime periods.”

Phathela, however, denied that police took up to three weeks to visit the victims.

“Police officers went to the family’s house in Delmore and could not find the wife. They phoned her and she told them that her husband could not be able to give statement because he was unable to speak due to his condition.”

Letitia says this is a lie. “I told the police they can come and speak to my husband at the hospital to take his statement. They, however, never arrived.”

An investigating officer apparently visited the family on November 12.

The crime situation has also prompted warnings by the SAPS to residents to be extra vigilant when walking along the area at night.

“We appeal to the community to be aware of their surroundings, not to walk with valuable items, including expensive cellphones, jewellery, and avoid carrying large amounts of money, especially during the night.”

Suspicious activities could be reported to the Reiger Park police on 011 916 7000 or call the sector vans.

*Sector 1: 071 675 7363/ 071 675 6990

* Sector 2: 071 675 6995/ 071 675 6992