SMASH and grab incidents are on the increase at hotspot intersections in Pinetown and police have appealed for victims to report such crimes so that they will be able to put measures in place.
Pinetown resident, Dhanjan Soodyall, fought off four men who tried to rob him in Old Main Road on Sunday, 19 May.
“I was fortunate to get away with just a few bruises, but this has to stop. Criminals are always preying on innocent people on Pinetown roads.”
Soodyall said he was on his way home from church, driving on Pinetown Old Main Road.
ALSO READ: Man fights off armed robbers in Pinetown CBD
“The robot had just turned red and there was another car in front of me. Four men came across the road and tried to open the car doors. One of them shoved his hand through my window which was slightly open.
“Although it felt like a dream, I was quick to react. I just put my car in the reverse gear and I think I reversed into two of them while dragging the one who had his hand in my window.”
Soodyall said the man kept saying ‘give us your phone’ but he never gave them a chance to to take away anything.
“The incident happened in a matter of seconds and I was stabbed in the right hand during the altercation.
“The reason I’m sharing my story is to plead with people to be wary when driving especially at Pinetown intersections and would like to thank a taxi driver and his passengers who came to my aid, chased these men away, and made sure that I proceeded safely,” he said.
Another resident, Justin Jonsson, posted on Facebook about an incident he witnessed at St John’s off-ramp.
“Please be careful on St Johns off-ramp. Today I witnessed a second smash-and-grab. Six guys in total, but work in teams of two. Today’s guys were both wearing jeans, one had a green shirt and one had a white shirt.
“To the guy in the white NP200, I am sorry not everyone helped and I hope you are okay. Thanks to the two men in the white Polo that started the mob who threatened and gave chase.
ALSO READ: Armed robbers stab family dog during Assagay home invasion
“Once again, this happened on the M13 off-ramp coming onto St John’s bridge, it is not the vendors. They don’t help much either,” said Justin in a post.
Pinetown Cluster communications officer, Capt Bongumusa Manqele, said police cannot confirm any increase in smash and grab incidents in that area as they do not have any cases opened.
“We would, however, encourage the community to report such crimes so that we will be able to put measures in place. Just like how we did when we received reports on increased crime around the Home Affairs area, we increased police visibility,” said Manqele.
He added that they also have CCTV cameras that are monitored by both SAPS and Metro police. “The cameras assist in monitoring crime in Pinetown hotspots and all intersections.”
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