Residents from various complexes in Sundowner are fed up with the ongoing incidents of rape, robbery and assault on the corner of Olievenhout Avenue and Drysdale Road.
Some of the residents refer to this area as ‘rape corner’ while others call it a crime hotspot. For the past few years, residents from these complexes have been terrorised by criminals and the incidents are escalating.
A concerned resident Will Phiri who lives in one of the complexes, alleged that a group of three people were terrorising residents. “We formed an informal Neighbourhood Watch group to inform and alert group members about activities at the hotspot. Criminals hide in an open space and use the bush as an escape route.”
He said they established that it was a group of three gang members who were known to be in possession of a silver firearm. “We don’t know if it’s a toy gun or a genuine one since they have never fired shots but it has been used, along with a knife, to inflict severe harm,” complained Phiri.
He said about a month ago, the latest victim lost his life after he succumbed to his injuries and died, all for a cellphone and wallet.
A woman, who lives in one of the complexes and did not want to be named, said their domestic workers dubbed the hotspot, rape corner. “We call it rape corner; they are too scared to walk past that corner. We have heard so many screams,” she said.
The male resident indicated that they have been warning people about the hotspot and encouraged all victims to report the incidents, as this would allow police to deploy more resources in the area. “Bushy Park remains a quality escape for these thugs,” he said.
Honeydew police are yet to comment about these incidents and whether there are strategies from the police to tackle the situation.
