The recent tragic death of a 12-year-old boy on Nelson Mandela Boulevard has left residents saddened and sparked increased calls for police to patrol pedestrian bridges in Walmer Estate, which they claim are prime spots for muggers.
The Grade 5 learner from Walmer Estate Primary School was knocked down by a car on Nelson Mandela Boulevard while on his way to school.
Resident Zubeida Khan said criminals target learners and adults regularly.
“People are scared in the day to use the footbridges because the area is quiet. In the morning people get robbed of their cellphones, medication, money and so on, on the bridges. The staircase in Ravenscraig Road is also not safe and many people use that staircase to get to the main road.”
Khan appeals to the police to patrol the area. “We would like to see more police visibility and the schools must do something to help their learners cross the bridge. When the schools come out, teachers also need to be visible.
“We also have children openly smoking drugs before they go to school. Previously, we had police visibility and I would call them and they would come to the area.”
Khan called on residents to take charge of their area. “Maybe residents that are not working can assist the children to stand on the bridge and help them cross safely.”
According to Khan, the pedestrian bridges close to Searle Street, Ravenscraig Road and Coventry Road are particularly dangerous.
One of the residents, who wants to remain anonymous for safety reasons, echoed what Khan said and added that a few years ago, his mother-in-law was also robbed on the bridge on Searle Street.
“There used to be security on these bridges patrolling regularly,” he explained. “Maybe they should look into that again.”
Gary Adams, U-Watch Neighbourhood Watch chair, confirmed that there have been numerous muggings perpetrated on the Basil van Rensburg Bridge based in Searle Street.
“There have been numerous muggings at these footbridges. It stops for a while then it flares up again. You have learners and teachers and many people using that bridge. Muggers watch people and look for soft targets, like people walking alone. Sometimes learners walk with their cellphones. A lot of the perpetrators live in the area, some are homeless people. And some are coming from Woodstock.”
He said “permanent” safety plans are needed to mitigate the robberies. “We need a more permanent solution for these bridges. If we can man these bridges where we have the security hubs at both ends it would pay off wonderfully.
People’s Post contacted Woodstock police for comment but did not respond by the time of going to print.
