- A surge in armed robberies by so-called “robot robbers” on the N1 bridge between Joostenbergvlakte and Bloekombos has alarmed local residents.
- In response to the escalating crime, businesses are considering funding private security due to insufficient law enforcement.
- Despite multiple pleas, the City of Cape Town and local police have yet to take decisive action.
What local residents refer to as the “robot robbers” is terrorising motorists, commuters and pedestrians on the N1 bridge connecting Joostenbergvlakte and Bloekombos.
In the absence of law enforcement, and in utter desperation local businesses are now looking at spending up to R180 000 from their own pockets for private security on the bridge.
According to the Joostenbergvlakte Neighbourhood Watch (JBV Patrol), armed robberies at intersections on both sides of the bridge have become a near daily occurrence, many of which go unreported.
In the latest of a spew of attacks a visitor to Joostenbergvlakte was held up with a gun and robbed at the traffic lights on Lucullus Street a few weeks ago.
Also in July, two workers walking to work were robbed of their cellphones at the intersection next to SA Metal leading into Bloekombos.
On the same day a motorist was confronted with a gun against his head and robbed of all his tools, as he waited to turn right onto the N1.
A month prior, a local farmer was held up and robbed on the other side of the bridge at the intersection next to SA Metal leading into Bloekombos.
In yet another incident in June a female worker was stabbed and robbed while on her way to work at the intersection on Bloekombos side of the bridge.
In April a man cycling to work was hit over the head with a plank and his face beaten up badly. His phone and bicycle were stolen.
one employer reported.
On 8 June when a vehicle broke down near the N1 Lucullus off-ramp, multiple robbers approached the vehicle and robbed the passengers, save for one woman who escaped and fled to safety.
Some of the above attacks were reported to police, whereas others were reported to JBV Patrol who keeps record of the incidents.
Criminals
Dave Gale, spokesperson for JBV Patrol, says the number of robberies have grown significantly in the last year as criminals have infiltrated the ranks of the waste pickers.
According to Gale it is now the norm to have up to ten or more individuals loitering on the side of the road, walking up and down, peering into vehicles for items of value and snatching anything that they can lay their hands on.
“We have daily thefts off the back of bakkies and trailers. They do not discriminate between metal scrap, tool boxes, materials, equipment, or anything of value.”
Gale says the local community police subforum and JBV Patrol have been engaging the City of Cape Town and Kraaifontein police for at least a year now to increase their presence in that area, which they believe has in part been caused by the presence of the municipal waste transfer station.
Workshop
In October 2023 JBV Patrol held a workshop which was relatively well attended by most role players and included members of law enforcement, police and SA Metal.
“We have had great success in the past with collaboration between public and private role players in the safety and security arena, but this particular issue has seen a disappointing level of commitment from the public sector,” says Gale.
According to him representatives of the City’s solid waste department informed the JBV Patrol at this workshop that they were renegotiating the service level agreement they have with law enforcement to deploy a permanent vehicle on the southern side of the N1 at the SA Metal traffic lights.
“But our attempts to get any confirmation from solid waste or law enforcement since then have been blatantly ignored, or the buck has been passed to someone else while no one takes ownership. We have found it the norm for emails to City officials to either be completely ignored or we end up being copied in emails forwarded to yet another department. This is an unacceptable manner in which to treat ratepayers,” says Gale.
According to him the Ward councillor in the area promised to try to get better lighting, more cameras and have the mandate of the City of Cape Town’s security contractor who patrols the N2 and R300 to be expanded to cover their area, but thus far none of that has transpired.
“The South African Police Service is understandably understaffed in the Kraaifontein area and is unable to patrol this specific area with any significant frequency. Law enforcement claim a similar problem and when they are summoned via 107, usually arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes after the fact when the perpetrators have vanished.”
Residents using the road fear that someone might be shot and potentially killed should the situation not be taken more seriously by the City and law enforcement personnel.
“The community is increasingly concerned about the danger that they are exposed to on a daily basis when using the N1 bridge and are increasingly frustrated with the way the City is not taking this issue seriously despite regular and repeated requests for action. To appoint a private security company to patrol the area is problematic as it is a public space, but what else can we do?”
In response to a media inquiry by TygerBurger, a spokesperson at the City of Cape town said: “The City of Cape Town understands the urgency of the matter and we are presently negotiating the best possible way forward. The City regrets the inconvenience and will revert with feedback in due course.”
Kraaifontein police did not respond to a media inquiry by time of going to print.
Gale warns road users and pedestrians to be hyper-vigilant in the area of this bridge that has become a dangerous crime hotspot.
“Be hyper aware of your surroundings and watch for people loitering on the bridge or near the lights. Keep an eye on your rear view mirrors for someone coming up in your blind spot.”
He urges the community to report any incident to the JBV Patrol on 082 756 8241 or 081 489 6468, 24/7.
