MONDEOR: Four teens that were witnessed by builders at a nearby residence on Bellefield Avenue violently attacking a woman at a park, have been released from police custody.
While the residents of Mondeor recover from the shock of having assisted in the deterrence of an attempted rape and robbery of a thirty-year-old woman by four high school learners, police report that the boys are currently at their homes.
According to Mondeor SAPS spokesperson, Sibongile Mnguni, “the youths were released into the care of their parents and are still waiting for the court date to be set by the Children’s Court.”
The learners who are allegedly from a school in Mondeor were arrested by Mondeor police officers on the morning of October 18.
Sector 2 Community Policing Forum Coordinator Michelle Pelser said the youths had been sitting at the park wearing school uniforms.
A number of women who use Ormonde Drive and Bellefield Avenue say, having read about the incident in Comaro CHRONICLE, they walk the streets in fear of being attacked.
“I was warned by my friends who heard about what had happened from the woman who was attacked by the boys, and I don’t feel comfortable walking past the park alone,” said a female resident.
Others said they’ve been extra cautious since the alleged attempted rape incident and no longer feel safe passing by the park.
The builders, who rescued the woman who was attacked by the group of teenagers at Bellefield Park in Mondeor, said they felt good that they were there to apprehend the young criminals and save the lady from being sexually assaulted.
“We feel good that we were able to help her because we couldn’t just watch as someone got attacked,” said Sisko Sithole.
They stated that after they spotted the woman trying to fight off the teenagers who were ripping her clothes and forcing her to the ground, they shouted at them in an effort to scare them off, then the boys scattered in different directions.
It is also said by the builders that the suspects had also taken the women’s panty off; regardless of the fact the Bellefield Avenue is a commonly used street by residents who could have spotted them at any time.
“I ran after the one who had crossed the stream onto Riverside Street and my colleagues chased the other three boys, the owner of the home we’re constructing also assisted in cornering these boys. We called the police after we had all of them.”
Reportedly, Bellefield Park is a preferred chill spot for high school learners who bunk school and for gathering after school on week days.
Police officers have patrolled Bellefield Avenue once since the incident, say the builders.
