A Fourways Review journalist got closer to the news than she expected when she was the victim of a smash-and-grab incident in the Fourways area.
Marnelle Greyling has worked as a journalist for the community newspaper for about six months and had attended a public council meeting on the evening of 2 May at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways as part of her work within the community.
After the meeting, at about 10.30pm, she was travelling towards her home in Sunninghill.
“I stopped at a red light on the corner of Witkoppen and Rivonia roads and was the only car [at the intersection] when I saw a group of men standing on the corner,” Greyling explained. “My career as a journalist has taught me to be vigilant and I knew something was wrong.”
READ Tips to avoid falling prey to smash and grabs at intersections and stop streets
However, before Greyling could drive off, one of the men smashed the passenger window of her vehicle, grabbed her handbag and ran off with it.
“As I looked back, I saw that the group of young men was now approaching my car with purpose,” Greyling said.
Although panicked, she managed to drive off without further incident, uninjured but understandably shaken.
“I have never felt unsafe in my own community until now. The crime in our country is getting totally out of hand and as a young, working woman my job requires me to be on the road often. It is sad to know that I cannot roam the beautiful streets of an upscale community without worry.”
David Foley the councillor for Ward 94 and who was present at the meeting said of the incident, “I think one of the big issues in our community is the increase of crime,” he told Fourways Review. “A lot of it seems to be opportunistic crime. We should work with the Saps [South African Police Service] to perhaps raise police visibility in the area, as that might lower the likelihood of crimes. More education is also needed on how people can protect themselves better.”
If you have been a victim of a smash-and-grab incident, tell us by posting on our timeline, Fourways Review or tweet us @Fourways_Review
