SOUTH residents are tired of an alleged drug addicted Forest Hill gang that reportedly robs them of their valuables early in the morning.
David* claims he has been robbed by the same gang four times while walking to work and says that the muggings have left him traumatised and in fear of walking pass vehicles in the morning.
David says that a group of four or five men and a young woman, who wear hoodies, rob people who are on their way to work.
“These guys drive vehicles and pull different stunts to look innocent but are quick to jump out of a vehicle, put a firearm on your chest and take your valuables before speeding off. Everything happens so fast you cannot even think of looking at the registration plates. All you pick up is that they are a group of coloured men and sometimes they travel with a woman. But you can see by their behavior that they are under the influence of drugs.”
The gang is believed to be using a Toyota Corolla Gli Twincam, a Silver Honda sedan and an Opel Corsa bakkie. David has reportedly seen a lot of handbags and other valuables in their vehicles.
“These guys are looking for wallets, cellphones and money. They are terrorising people in the neighbourhood. I run a business here and they even steal the yard numbers on the walls because of their metal value,” said a concerned Malcolm*, David’s colleague.
“Booysens officers are now aware of these robberies and have started patrolling the area,” said W/O Lorraine van Emmerik, communications officer for Booysens SAPS.
“People must travel in groups because the crime in the area is high between 04:00 and 06:00. The community is targeted and must be vigilant. I will inform the neighbbourhood watch of this and they can help patrol the area,” Ward 56 DA Clr Rashieda Landis added.
*Not his real name
