Cloetesville police have issued a warning to e-hailing drivers to exercise extreme caution when entering areas unfamiliar to them when picking up and dropping off passengers.
This follows a marked increase in reports of armed robberies and common robberies in the policing precinct, particularly cases reported by e-hailing drivers. According to Warrant Officer Zenobia Sedeman, spokesperson for Cloetesville police, incidents have been reported in the vicinity of Lang, Williams, Lakay and Fir roads since November last year.
“The Cloetesville Police Station management is very concerned about the safety of e-hailing drivers frequenting our areas,” she said.
“Over the past three months there has been a noticeable increase in cases of robbery reported by these drivers in the precinct. For this reason, station management held a special meeting to discuss plans to ensure the safety of e-hailing drivers when operating in the area.”
According to Sedeman most of the cases follow the same modus operandi, with drivers, who often do not know the area, dropping off or picking up passengers and then being targeted by robbers, who take their cash, cellphones and other personal possessions. The reported incidents have occurred at all hours of the day.
“In our recent meeting, we sought solutions to address these concerns, and have come up with an alternative option to keep these drivers safe in our area,” Sedeman related. “We want to issue a plea to the e-hailing drivers entering the area to report to Cloetesville Police Station before embarking on the trip to collect or drop-off passengers.
“On reporting to the station the Cloetesville police will accompany the drivers to their destination in the area. We believe the police presence will make a marked impact on the number of reported incidents.”
Furthermore, Sedeman also warned motorists of lurking dangers on the Tenantville side at the Langstraat-Suid and Adam Tas road intersection.
“A number of robberies, in the form of smash-and-grab incidents have also been reported at this intersection, with most victims indicating they were robbed while their vehicles were stationery,” ” she pointed out.
“From information shared by victims, these offences are apparently carried out by a group of youths hanging around the intersection.”
Sedeman said the reported cases at the intersection saw a spike over the past three months as well, with most incidents occurring when people return home from work after 18:00.
“Cloetesville police issues an urgent plea to all motorists please to be alert when approaching traffic lights, and especially when their vehicles are stationery there,” she said.
“We also ask that they place all valuable items out of sight when driving, and ensure vehicle doors are locked at all times.”
- Anyone with or seeking more information on these cases is asked to contact Sedeman on 072 324 6386 or Lieutenant-Colonel Emma van Schalkwyk on 082 411 2911.
