Pedestrians warned to be wary after north Durban muggings
The incidents were reported to have occurred on Ellis Park Drive and Browns Drift Road.
THE Umgeni Park Neighbourhood Watch has urged pedestrians to be extremely vigilant and to try walking in groups when walking to and from work in the area.
This comes after an attempted mugging and a robbery occurred on Ellis Park Drive and Browns Drift Road respectively.
Belinda Hellerle, a patroller and a member of the Greenwood Park CPF Sub Forum 4, said the suspects often target domestic workers.
“Last month, there was an incident at the intersection of Browns Drift Road and Riverside Road. Two pedestrians were robbed of their cellphones and other items by men in a VW Polo. There was also an attempted robbery on Lonsdale Road and Ellis Park Drive, which was posted on social media, also saying their domestic worker was approached by men in a white vehicle. One of the suspects in the backseat pointed a firearm at her and asked for her bag. In her attempt to get away, she injured herself, and the suspects drove off.
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“We are urging pedestrians, particularly domestic workers, to try to walk in groups. Muggers are far less likely to target people when there are others around or they are likely to be seen. In both these cases, sadly, the suspects spotted an opportunity. We also urge homeowners, if possible, to drop off their domestic workers and gardeners at the bus stops or taxi stops to avoid any further incidents,” she explained.
She added that the Greenwood Park Police had been alerted to the incidents.
Darryl Oliver, Durban North Community Policing Forum’s (CPF) public relations officer, urged victims to report incidents to their local station.
“There have been no reported cases in the Durban North policing precinct. There was a spate of incidents a while back, specifically targeting pedestrians in uMhlanga near the Millenium Bridge. I urge anyone who has been targeted to report the case to the SAPS station closest to them,” he said.
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