Following a spate of attacks on motorists who stop or get stuck along the N7 highway between Richwood and the Malibongwe Drive on- and off-ramp in Dunoon, a renewed plea has been issued by the local neighbourhood watch to road users to be extra vigilant on this stretch of the road.
Motorists who stop next to the road – either to drop-off or pick-up someone, or who get stuck due to a mechanical failure or flat tyre – are often targeted by would-be robbers and fall victim to crime.
Glenn Marais, chair of the Richwood Neighbourhood Watch (RNW), says people need to avoid stopping in this area which is a known high-risk area for crime.
The neighbourhood watch has named it the “Red Zone,” he says.
“During CCTV monitoring of that stretch by Richwood, we have witnessed many incidents of motorists being robbed when they stop in that vicinity. But we have also managed to prevent many from suffering the same fate. Usually with our backup from Precinct Response or District Watch, our members rush to assist and stand by any motorist that has broken down,” he says.
Recent attack
Recently we assisted a driver and his passenger whose vehicle had overheated, Marais says.
“They pulled to the side of N7 right in the Red Zone. Unfortunately, that was out of view of the CCTV at the time. When I logged on, I did a quick scan of the stretch and informed the team that something appeared wrong with the motorists. Two of our patrollers mobilised and went over and found that they had been robbed, and the passenger was badly stabbed in the arm. He was treated by our patrollers. Their family pitched up and towed the vehicle away. Apparently, he would go to a hospital in Moorreesburg for further treatment.”
Marais says there have been stabbings and shootings on the stretch of road before, however, to date, no member of the public had died from a shooting incident.
“Even the innocent people coming or going to work suffer the same situation. There is a gang of thugs that operates from a certain spot among the shacks.
“When I see them hanging about, I usually know that someone will be robbed. Most of the time it happens. It is sad though, because their own people see it happen, and nobody will go and assist the victim. They know who the thugs are, but say and do nothing. By the time any form of assistance arrives, everything is back to normal. The victim is gone, and the thugs have disappeared amongst the shacks. I have seen so many incidents happen, and it appears to be the same bunch. I never send a patroller out there alone. We have a fireman caution in place and a strict protocol.”
Caution
Marais says he cannot stress enough to any motorist travelling along that stretch to ensure that they have sufficient fuel, that their vehicle is in a good condition, and that they should try not to travel alone if they are a female.
“If you stop, they are going to rob you. Do not fight back. Give them what they want. If you get a flat tyre, keep driving for as long as possible. Try travelling an alternative route, especially late at night,” he pleads.
Hopefully, the authorities responsible for that section of the road increase day and night blue-light patrols,” Marais says.
