The Randburg Police Station has requested residents’ associations to locate victims who have been robbed at intersections.
The purpose of the request is to gain insight into these types of crimes.
Eblockwatch founder and Bryanston resident, André Snyman said he decided to put up his own poll on the number of times residents have been robbed.
This is part of the weekly edition of How Secure Are You? an online and print security feature in partnership with the Sandton Chronicle and Eblockwatch.
Snyman was shocked by the number of responses received with nearly 600 replies within the first 24 hours. He said that around 50 per cent of respondents indicated that they have had a gun to their head and robbed of their belongings.
“It doesn’t mean that 50 per cent of people will be robbed, but it is the number of people in Sandton who have responded so far.”
Snyman alleged that it must be a single gang operating in the area as they move from Hyde Park, down William Nicol Drive all the way to the Monte Casino area. “It’s interesting to note that it happens in spaces close to the river areas where the criminals have a quick escape route.”
He noted that most of the cases happen on William Nicol Drive at Hyde Park Corner, Sandton Drive, Republic Road and near Monte Casino as well as surrounding areas.
“At some of these intersections, there are jugglers, hawkers and beggars who have seen all these incidents happen, which is interesting,” said Snyman.
He added that it usually happens in the late afternoons and into the night during traffic when motorists are sitting ducks. “Why aren’t the police doing anything? Is Metro police doing anything?
“The percentage of respondents is quite small, which means we only know about a small number of reported cases.”
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