Chiawelo based Soweto Mountain of Hope (SOMOHO) has fallen out of favour since the previous owners abandoned it.
Now on the other side of it, the mountain is covered with long uncut trees, grass and huge rocks and residents now fear for their lives as criminals have taken over the mountain for their own illegal activities.
Residents next to the mountain including Thabang Mulaudzi and Puleng Muhale said that since the mountain has no one taking care of it, they have been having sleepless nights and no one seems to be interested in coming to their rescue even though they have complained to the police station.
“Almost every week we have to wake up in the early hours to rescue a person at the mountain, most of the victims at the mountain are ladies who are being raped or beaten by their boyfriends.
“Most of the victims who are ladies always say that they were picked from tarverns and were being forced by the guys to go sleep with them.”
Another resident, Prudence Manganyi said: “I have people running into my house for help since it’s a corner house and there is no way I can open my door to rescue them because I’m scared myself at night.”
Moroka Police Station communications officer John Serala said they are working hard to decrease the growing number of criminal activities at the mountain.
“Our sector police are always on stand by and always monitoring that particular mountain, so residents must rest assured that we will win this fight if we work hand in hand together.”
