I was mugged on Malibongwe Drive and President Fouché Road
SONNEGLANS – Women walking alone need to be aware of crime hotspots in the area.
A recent mugging has drawn attention to a notorious crime spot on the corner of President Fouché Road and Malibongwe Drive, Sonneglans.
Lebohang Sekhoto was attacked and mugged when walking to work towards Northgate on Malibongwe Drive (before the Total Garage) on 14 July. At around 6am four men grabbed her handbag. Two of them ran away and the one male suspect pushed her into the bushes near the bridge. “He started touching me all over, searching for other things he could steal,” Sekhoto said.
The male suspect then apparently pushed her further down the embankment so no one on the road could see her. “I was screaming for someone to help, he started to pull my pants down, luckily someone walked past and must have spooked him and he ran away,” added Sekhoto. Her two cellphones, ID and money were stolen from her.
According to Sekhoto this is the second incident that has happened – a woman who worked at the same company as Sekhoto was also attacked. The area seems to be a continuous problem as the Douglasdale CPF website reported in 2013 that a woman was assaulted, mugged and stabbed by a suspect who also attempted to rape her.
Sekhoto went to the Douglasdale Police to lay a case of theft but was unable to give the IME number for the cell phones that were stolen. Douglasdale SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Balan Muthan said, “The IME number can be retrieved from the service provider and then we can lay a case of theft for the items that were stolen.”
Ward 101 councillor Ralph Bittkau said, “People must be very aware of the danger in relative hotspots in the area.” He added that there are always hotspots near the highway as it is easy exit points for the criminals to escape.
DA Shadow MEC for Safety and Security Kate Lorimer said, “[Hotspots are] anywhere there is vacant land which is overgrown, as this provides a good hiding place for criminals. Where possible, women should try not to walk alone. There is always strength in numbers.” She added that carrying pepper spray is always an option.
See related articles on crime in that area:
Crime update for Honeydew Sector 1
Stabbed man saved by kind motorists
