Polo gang on crime spree in KZN townships

A group of thieves driving a white Volkswagen Polo have been terrorising residents in and around KwaDukuza in KZN for the past two weeks.

At least eight people have been robbed of their money and cellphones, with most incidents occurring in the Darnall and Zamani townships.

Among the victims was a 17-year-old matric student from Stanger Secondary School.

He was robbed of his cellphone in KwaDukuza town while walking home from school.

According to his mother, who requested anonymity, the incident occurred after he stopped to buy food at a fast-food shop on the corner of Mahatma Gandhi Street and Chief Albert Luthuli Street.

“They weren’t violent towards him. One of the guys put his arm around my son’s shoulders, chatted with him, and then suddenly grabbed his phone and jumped into the Polo,” she says.

Dr Mfuneni Zungu, chairperson of the KwaDukuza Community Policing Forum, says that in Zamani township, the robbers are primarily targeting women walking to or from taxi stops.

Some victims have been threatened with guns or knives.

“What’s concerning is that people are not reporting these crimes. They either think the crimes are too small to get attention or don’t have the required documentation, like phone serial numbers, to file a report,” says Zungu.

iLembe police spokesperson, Captain Alex Thomson, confirmed that the police are aware of the situation.

“We have circulated information about the suspected vehicle to our SAPS teams and partners. We urge residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police,” says Thomson.