Pietermartzburg - Two men believed to be linked to several robberies in the Pietermaritzburg CBD were arrested on Monday, thanks to the sharp eyes of Safe City employees and swift police action.
The drama unfolded on Monday afternoon when the two suspects confronted a young woman outside an office building in busy Church Street.
According to police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker, one of the suspects was armed with a knife.
“The men allegedly grabbed the victim… and demanded her handbag. When the victim refused to hand it over, she was stabbed,” Naicker said.
The suspect then placed the knife against the woman’s stomach, threatening to stab her again if she did not hand over her bag.
“The victim screamed for help, which alerted passing pedestrians… The suspects then grabbed the victim’s cellphone and fled,” Naicker said.
The cellphone was later recovered nearby.
Fortunately, members from the Safe City CCTV Control room spotted the incident and saw the suspects running along Pietermaritz Street. They alerted police.
Members of the SAPS Pietermaritzburg Flying Squad who were patrolling the area responded and arrested both suspects in the CBD.
Naicker said that the suspects were positively identified by the victim. A wallet and banking cards were found in their possession.
“Police believe the suspects may be linked to other robberies in the city. A knife, believed to have been used in the attack, was also found on one of the suspects,” said Naicker.
Both suspects, aged 19, are to appear in court today.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the officers for the swift response that led to the arrests.
Daily News