“You are not taking my child,” was the emotional cry of a Merebank mother before hitting a robber with her handbag during a robbery on Thursday. 

The mother is a nurse at a government hospital, and her daughter is a student at a private college. Neither wanted to be named.

They were walking along Satara Road on Thursday at 2pm when a man got off a stationary vehicle and robbed the daughter of her iPhone. 

In CCTV footage that has gone viral, the mother and daughter can be seen walking along the pavement, and when they got near a stationary car parked, a man got off.

Both of them turned and ran for their lives while the robber hurled profane words at them. After a few metres, he grabbed the daughter from behind. Another man stood next to the car. The incident happened within seconds.

The mother explained that they were heading to a nearby dentist where they had an appointment and had seen the car pass them.

“I felt strange, and I told my daughter that the men inside looked suspicious. The car passed us and made a U-turn, and then parked on the roadside. I hoped we could get a bit further, where there were plenty of scholar transport operators parked off.

“My daughter heard the door open, and within seconds, he was on us. I told him that he will not take my daughter. In the scuffle, she dropped the phone, which he then grabbed. He punched me on the back and ran off,” she said. 

The Merebank Community Policing Forum (CPF) sub-forum stated that only a phone was taken and that they were assisted by neighbors. According to the CPF, the same vehicle and occupants attempted to rob a lady in neighbouring Wentworth.

Raven Naidoo, a community member, said: “It is alleged that the mentioned vehicle and suspects also attempted to rob a pedestrian along Tuin Road in Wentworth, but the victim managed to flee down a pathway, and nothing was taken,” he said. 

Wentworth police station is investigating the incident. 

Naidoo urged adults and school children not to walk with their cellphones or text while walking. He urged the CPF to send a circular to all schools in the area and residents to inform them not to walk on the road with valuable items, especially a cellphone.

He said even if residents were going to the shop on foot, they should leave their cellphones at home.

Naidoo said this criminal modus operandi is occurring throughout the country, where criminals drive around looking for pedestrians as their next victim. 

“This is an opportunistic crime. These criminals saw an opportunity and took it. Parents must not allow their children to take cellphones to school only if it is an emergency. If you are carrying a phone, make sure it is concealed. Also, be alert about your surroundings and suspicious vehicles,” Naidoo said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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