THE community of Empangeni has lashed out at authorities who have failed to clean up and safeguard a popular walkway which has now given rise to criminal activity.
This comes after four Richem Secondary pupils were mugged on Wednesday afternoon while walking home.
Empangeni resident Lule Mchunu said he was impressed with the speedy response by the police but concerned by the trauma the pupils experienced.
‘It is a busy pathway linking Empangeni to Dumsani Makhaya Village.
‘Pupils from various schools, including rail and domestic workers also use the pathway daily.
‘There is insufficient lighting, overgrown grass and reeds which makes it quite unsafe,’ he said.
Ward 9 Councillor Irwin Palmer said the matter has been addressed and was incorporated in their Integrated Development Plan.
‘As part of our IDP, an official pathway will be paved alongside the dam linking the two areas, and we’re hoping it will be complete by next year,’ said Palmer.
Mchunu, who witnessed the mugging, was making his way across the pathway toward the neighbouring area when seven men walked past him and attacked the four pupils walking behind.
‘The men physically attacked the Grade 11 pupils and threatened them with knives. Two pupils managed to loosen their grip from the criminals and escaped while the other two continued to fend off the criminals.
‘I called the police who were there in three minutes but the men quickly ran along the fencing of the school and disappeared into the bushes.
‘As a member and Secretary of the Empangeni CPF, it is evident that working together with police, we can neutralise crime in our City.
‘We need to report everything, all the time,’ said Mchunu.
