CHOCHOCHO – As I was driving through the village on Saturday I got lost and asked some women standing and chatting by the road to help me with directions. They gladly assisted me but what they told me after directing me got me curious.
“It’s a bit difficult to get to where you are going and you might still get lost but do not ask the youngsters the way. If you get too lost, rather go back home,” they warned me.
Trying to establish the truth of the claims, I spoke to several members of the community and according to them, many vulnerable motorists have been robbed as a result of asking for help with getting to their desired destination.
“These guys will act legit and helpful and sometimes offer to ride with you so they can show you the way and unfortunately some innocent people have fallen for this trick and been robbed of their valuable possessions,” said another community member, Ms Poppy Sibanyoni.
She also related a recent incident in which some residents witnessed young men grabbing a handbag out of the window of a vehicle after they were seen talking briefly to the driver.
However, Const Naniki Nonyane of Masoyi Police Station said no such cases had been reported to the station but added that the allegations might well be true especially with the reconstruction of the R538.
“Now that the road is being rehabilitated, motorists drive through the villages and it’s possible that criminals are taking advantage of this to target people who are not familiar with these surroundings.
We always urge people not to ask for directions from strangers, every time we hold community meetings with them.
People should rather come to the police station and get help where they will be safe,” Nonyane added.
She concluded by adding that the area is infested with criminal activities including hijacking and business robbery.
