Pretoria - The South African crime landscape has new “kids on the block” – four women, including one who is “pregnant” – who are wreaking havoc in suburbs, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
A Centurion pensioner has become the latest victim of the “fearsome foursome” who have unleashed a reign of terror in a spate of robberies in and around Pretoria.
Marthie Stevens, 66, of Wierda Park, said she recognised the women after their pictures were circulated in a police media statement, warning people about the four alleged robbers.
Stevens said she knew something was wrong when one of the alleged robbers insisted on entering her home and using the toilet despite having told her she could use the one outside.
“Aaron met her at the gate and she asked if I was home because she wanted to talk to me,” she said. Stevens runs a furniture repair shop in her yard and runs it with the help of two assistants.
One of her employees, Aaron Sechothlo, who opened the gate said he thought they were there to enquire about repairing furniture. “But I could tell something was wrong because one of the women was carrying a huge bag,” Sechothlo said.
While opening the gate for the one, two others jumped out of the car and the three rushed into the yard while a fourth stayed in the car. “I went out to talk to her, and she said she wanted to ask about fixing a couch. We told her that the guy who did upholstery was not there and then she asked to use the toilet,” she said.
The 66-year-old told her to use the outside toilet outside. “She refused and said it was filthy, but I told her she could not come in.” Meanwhile, her two accomplices were walking around the yard.
One of them, who appeared pregnant, also asked to use the bathroom. “Aaron said by then they looked suspicious and we should not trust them,” Stevens said.
Noticing that there were a number of people on the premises, the three women decided to leave.
She said this incident happened on September 18. Police said the women used the same modus operandi by requesting to use the bathroom in almost all of the incidents that have been reported to them. They said one of the women is allegedly pregnant and all of them are light in complexion and spoke Sotho and English.
Police spokeswoman Captain Collete Weilbach said this was one of countless incidents that have been reported to the police. She said the women allegedly robbed a house in Menlo Park on October 1.
She said two of the women jumped out of a silver vehicle while a 57-year-old domestic worker was watering the garden and asked to use the bathroom. “She directed them to the outer building bathroom. When they returned she opened the gate for them and the other two women also entered. One of the women then ran to the house. The domestic worker tried to stop her. The other women caught up with them and threatened the domestic worker with a firearm inside the house.
“They left after they allegedly stealing cash and a laptop.” Weilbach said.
She said police are investigating a string of house robbery cases. She said the four women are also being investigated by police in other parts of the province for allegedly committing similar offences.
“Educating and training of domestic workers is of vital importance to avoid these robberies and attacks. Employers are advised to regularly remind their domestic workers to be vigilant if they are alone at home at all times.” said Weilbach.
She urged anyone with information to contact the Brooklyn police at 012 366 1735/6, or the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line 32211 to report crime anonymously.
Pretoria News