Armed robberies have become an ever-increasing problem for Stellenbosch police in recent times, with six armed robberies reported in the last two weeks alone.
“Robberies with firearms and other weapons are among the main crimes in Stellenbosch,” police spokesperson Capt Nathalie Martin said. “People become victims of robberies with firearms where they are robbed of their belongings, especially laptops and cellphones. We also experience people becoming victims of robbery in the early morning hours when walking from pubs under the influence.”
Martin says the suspects walk mostly in groups of two or five and approach people walking alone in the street. “Victims are threatened with firearms to hand their belongings over or they will be harmed.”
A business robbery took place on 2 June at 08:16 at Maxi Centre Point Superette, Merriman Street, when five suspects wearing blue overalls and masks, two with firearms, entered the shop.
They demanded cash, instructing the manager to fetch it from the back of the shop while pointing firearms. Customers were instructed to lie down on the floor and their cellphones were taken. No arrests have been made.
A few days later, on the 8th, an armed robbery took place at CL Steel Waste Scrap Metal in Plankenburg, at 15:00, when the complainant had dropped cart boxes off and went to collect his money. “On returning to his truck an unknown male grabbed him from behind and searched him,” Martin said. “Another suspect was pointing a silver firearm at him, instructing him not to move and that they just wanted his money. After taking it they walked away. No arrests have been made yet.
“On 10 June, around 18:40, a woman was walking down Ryneveldt Street to her friend’s house when approached by an unknown male. He pointed a firearm at her and demanded she hand her property over, especially her laptop and her cellphone. After doing so he ran away. No arrest has yet been made.”
Two separate armed robberies took place in Khayamandi on 11 June, less than 30 minutes apart. “At 18:35, in Luyolo Street, Khayamandi, two unknown males approached a complainant,” Martin related, “one pointed a firearm at him while the other searched him. The suspects took his cellphone and walked away.”
Less than 30 minutes later, about 19:00, another person fell victim to armed robbery when a man was robbed of his iPhone at the Khayamandi traffic lights. “The complainant was driving and stopped at the Khayamandi traffic lights,” related Martin. “While waiting for them to change he saw five unknown males approach his vehicle. One suspect smashed the driver’s side window and took the complainant’s Apple iPhone, which was lying on the dashboard. The suspect also threatened the complainant with a knife and ran away.”
She said no arrest had been made in either incident.”
Another robbery took place in Ryneveldt Street when, according to reports, two unknown men approached the complainant on 13 June at 18:00. “The one suspect had a firearm that looked like a pistol and instructed him to hand all his belongings over,” Martin said. “The victim handed his iPhone over and the suspects ran towards Lavanda Flats. No arrest has been made yet.”
She says the police urge people to be vigilant when walking alone and take note of their surroundings.
“Do not walk with too many valuables on you. Please make use of Uber or phone a friend to pick you up when it is late. Try and take note of the suspects’ clothing and faces to give a clear description to us, so we can make a speedy arrest.
“Contact police immediately when you become a victim of crime, so they can be on the lookout for suspects while they are still in surrounding areas where the incident occurred.”
Contact Stellenbosch police at 021 809 5012/5.
