THE footbridge over the M13 continues to be a crime hotspot despite crime-intelligence operations held regularly by neighbourhood watches, security companies and police.
In 2016, residents made suggestions for the bridge to be closed permanently.
Recently, the stairs from one side of the footbridge were demolished, but a resident who reached out to the Highway Mail said the thieves are scaling the sides of the stairs after they have robbed their victim.
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“The grass and bushes are also very thick, so it is easy for robbers to hide in them. The bridge has been a crime hotspot for many years now, and people are robbed almost every day,” he said.
Nikki and Monty Esterhuizen from V-Guard Security Services, who are also members of the Ashley Neighbourhood Watch, said in a space of two weeks, they had to rescue four victims who were hanging from the bridge.
“The thieves sometimes throw people, with their belongings, from the bridge if they resist or try to fight them off,” said Monty.
The patrollers said they were unsure who took down the stairs. “That person must have been fed up with all the criminal activities taking place.
“On February 9 and 10, we had a crime-intelligence-driven operation. Pinetown SAPS members, the SAPS bike unit, security companies and neighbourhood watches were part of it.
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“In the two days, six men were arrested. It was quiet for a while, then we heard that they had been released, and last Tuesday, we received a report of a mugging,” said Nikki.
The duo said it is important that people report crimes because if they don’t alert the police, these criminals get away as they cannot be charged.
“The police do what they can, but they also need the community to work with them,” stated Monty.
Nikki said the bridge is a shortcut for mostly domestic and garden workers to get to the taxi ranks.
“They are already struggling, and it is such a shame that the thieves prey on them. If the bridge is demolished permanently, they will have to get a taxi to travel to and from the Pinetown taxi ranks.”
Monty highlighted that Transnet needs to secure and clean up the area.
“This place has been neglected for years. There are bushes all over which makes it easy for criminals to hide – it is completely unacceptable that this area has now turned into a haven for criminals,” he said.
Pinetown Cluster communications officer Captain Bongumusa Manqele said crime-prevention members regularly patrol the area.
“The crime has decreased after the stairs were demolished, but police work closely with security companies and patrollers to try and catch these criminals. Most of the time, though, police are forced to release them as no one comes forward to open cases against them.”
“We once again urge and appeal to the public to open cases all the time,” said Manqele.
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