Stay away from Melville Koppies.
After a spate of almost daily attacks on the koppies the Sophiatown Community Patrol, the Westdene Community Policing Forum and the Sophiatown Police are advising people to steer clear of this nature reserve for the time being.
On 19 September, a man was grievously assaulted and almost lost his arm in an attack on Melville Koppies West.
“He was brutally cut up with long kitchen knives,” Damon Price, a friend of the victim said.
“His arm was almost cleanly cut off. He is currently in hospital undergoing surgery to save his arm.”
This violent attack took place in the afternoon, approximately at 15:30. One of the alleged attackers was described as tall with a beard, and the other was reportedly chubby with golden teeth.
The Westdene Community Policing Forum (WCP) searched the Koppies immediately after the attack but could not find the robbers.
The normally peaceful koppies reserve, stretching into Sophiatown and Westdene has been host to a spate of crimes recently in spite of efforts by residents to patrol the area.
“There have been violent muggings in the Koppies almost daily recently,” Dauw Steyn, chairman of the Sophiatown Community Patrol said.
“Sophiatown Community patrol and the Westdene Community Patrol are working together to try and apprehend the armed suspects.”
Emmarentia resident Steve Gale and a friend were attacked on the koppies bike trail on 30 September. “We were bike jacked by three men this afternoon,” Gale said.
“We are okay, but they were very aggressive. We want others to be aware and on the lookout.”
Westdene CPF said that there were at least two violent groups of thugs operating in the koppies.
“Clearly, despite our patrols and the police raids, the crime on the Koppies is not under control,” David Dickinson of the Melville Koppies West committee said.
“We will continue to do what we can, but this is a police matter and needs to be addressed with urgency before somebody is seriously injured or killed.
I therefore request that the police draw up and execute, with urgency, a response plan to deal with this ongoing problem of muggers operating on the koppies. We, the Melville Koppies West Committee, will support police action as we have previously offered. I also request that police officers accompany our community patrols.”
Sophiatown police spokesperson Warrant Officer TJ de Bruyn said the police station would lend its support.
