A normal day turned into a horrifying experience for Honeydew resident, Pale Ngomane when she was on her way home from work on 3 May.
Ngomane explained that she got off the taxi and was walking in an alleyway off Beyers Naude Drive on her way home when a man approached her from the front. He threatened her with a knife and told her to hand over her handbag. Ngomane said the man told her he would kill her if she does not keep quiet.
He also asked Ngomane to hand over the laptop bag which she was carrying on her back.
“There is a complex right next to the field. People were standing on the balcony watching and not helping me,” said Ngomane.
After she asked the suspect if she could have her house keys, he again pointed the knife at her. He ended up robbing her of her laptop and her handbag with her cell phone, her wallet containing cards and cash and some other items.
“He ordered me to walk away, otherwise he will kill me,” said Ngomane.
When she arrived at her complex she asked the security guard if he could phone the police. He refused to help her.
Ngomane said that a neighbour took her to the Honeydew Police station. After waiting for 30 minutes the police officer asked her if she had blocked her phone. The officer explained that she couldn’t open a case if the phone is not blacklisted. Ngomane then went to the Johannesburg Central Police Station for an affidavit but was told that it would be referred back to the Honeydew Police. “I am still waiting for my case number,” said Ngomane.
Spokesperson of the Honeydew Police Station, Warrant Officer, Karen Jacobs said that Ngomane should contact the commander of the charge office, Colonel Sekwakwa to register an inquiry regarding her complaints against the police station. Jacobs provided her with the contact details.
Jacobs added that Ngomane could provide her with her ID number to trace the case number. She could not find any case opened on Ngomane’s ID.
“Street robberies is currently a problem, especially on Peter Road and Beyers Naude Drive in the evenings when people get off the taxis. People must please be careful and take note of what is going on around them,” said Jacobs.
Details: Honeydew Police Station, 011 801 8400.
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