Recent robberies, occurring frequently in an alley linking Primrose Street, corner Brown Street, to the old Military Road, have now turned the shortcut route into a no-go zone.
Residents living close to this alley have told the Laudium Sun how people are being robbed here, on a daily basis, by often very violent thugs and that the place is a dangerous crime spot, to say nothing of it also being a health hazard.
One of the irate residents, Jadine Narayansamy, of Primrose Street, told how she had witnessed several robberies taking place in the alley, in broad daylight. “The thieves are targeting people coming and going along this passage from Bengal Street, the Laudium Hospital and the Itireleng informal settlement, robbing them of their cellphones, valuables and cash. To make matters worse there’s loads of rubbish being dumped here daily, causing a health hazard,” Jadine said exasperatedly.
In a recent incident, five thugs attacked Ext 3 resident, Peter Solomons, while he was just walking through the passageway, last Sunday, at around 2:30pm. The 37-year-old man was en-route from Bengal Street when the thugs came after him.
Peter told the Laudium Sun that he tried to run away, but the criminals caught him, and then beat him up when he refused to hand over his cellphone.
Peter said that he sustained injuries to his face, stomach, ear and back, adding that the thugs fled with his cellphone, hopping into a cream-white BMW that had been parked on the old Military Road.
Local resident, Benita Ndlovu, who witnessed the incident, told the Laudium Sun that it was early Sunday afternoon when she saw five creeps chasing after a man - “These guys held him and kicked him until he actually collapsed. A lot of residents saw him being attacked, but no one bothered to help the man,” Benita exclaimed.
Only once the group of robbers left, did residents try to help Peter. He was taken to the Laudium clinic where he received treatment for his wounds.
According to the residents of Primrose Street, all of whom requested anonymity, there is a gang of youngsters - armed with knives and screwdrivers - who lurk near the alley, then attack unsuspecting victims passing through the alley.
Neighbouring residents told the Laudium Sun that they had chased after the criminals and people dumping there on different occasions, but the culprits always got away.
In the meantime residents are now appealing to the authorities to close the alley or monitor it on a regular basis, and to intensify patrols in order to avoid opportunistic criminals pouncing on those who use the alley as a thoroughfare.
*The Laudium CPF was not available for comment on this matter.
Crime victim: Peter Solomons, said that the place is a dangerous crime spot.
Crime and grime hot-spot: Residents are calling on police to intensify patrols to cut down on opportunistic criminals and for the council to clean up the place, for the safety of passers by.