Series of muggings on M41 near uMhlanga concern SAPS

DURBAN North SAPS has warned pedestrians to be extremely vigilant and to try walking in groups when walking to and from work in uMhlanga.

This comes after a spate of pedestrian muggings, two of which occurred last week confirmed spokesman, Captain Raymond Deokaran.

The muggings take place on the M41 interchange close to the uMhlanga New Town area. 

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“This is an area of concern as there was a spate of incidents during 2019 using a similar modus operandi. The suspects seem to be targeting female pedestrians. In one of the more serious accidents, the female victim attempted to wrestle her handbag back when the suspects used a knife and cut her finger. They made off with her laptop, her bag and cash and fled into the bushes along the M41. 

“In the second incident, the victim was accosted by three suspects, one of whom was armed with a knife. They cornered her after she got out of a taxi on the side of the road. The suspects demanded her valuables and threatened to kill her. They made off with her cellphone and fled on foot into the bushy area along the interchange,” he said.

Deokaran added that the Durban North police station had stepped up patrols in conjunction with the Umhlanga Ridge Management Association. 

He urged residents to walk in groups wherever possible and to stick to well-lit and well-populated areas.

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“The suspects are far less likely to target people when there are others around or they are likely to be seen. In these cases, sadly the suspects spotted an opportunity,” he explained.