“Please inform people to be careful around the rank area. There are three males robbing people and they are targeting old, disabled people especially during grant payment time.”
This was a plea from a paraplegic Estcourt resident who became the victim of a robbery.
The resident, who requested to remain anonymous, says he was sitting in a parked car in Phillip Street on April 7 between 3pm and 5pm when he was approached by a trio of unknown men.
“Two came to the passenger side and asked me for money, while the third one forced the driver’s window down and grabbed my bag. They just walked away from me, knowing I could not chase them,” said the resident.
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Inside the man’s bag, which he usually attaches to his wheelchair, were personal belongings as well as R5500 in cash. A report was made at Estcourt police station after the incident, but the man was informed that no investigation would take place.
“They are apparently operating around the rank and use it as a getaway route, because no one will follow them into the rank,” alleges the resident.
He further alleges that another person was also robbed on April 8 in the vicinity of the taxi rank.
“If residents find people’s personal documents, IDs, medical records and so forth, they should kindly inform the person if any information is available or they can drop it off at the police station, where they have a ‘lost and found’ box, and hopefully we who are robbed can get our documents back,” added the resident.
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