Four women from George were attacked the last two weeks in separate incidents in Dormehlsdrift, George South and Denneoord. They were attacked in their homes and robbed.
Quick action of the last victim’s husband and residents of Church Street in Denneoord on Friday afternoon resulted in the arrest of one of the suspects.
Dormehlsdrift:
In the first incident on Wednesday morning at about 11:13 a 79-year-old woman were attacked in her home by a man.
“The suspect attacked the victim while she was in the garden. Afterwards he got access to the house. He held a big nail against her neck and threatened to kill her,” said Sgt. Riëtte Esterhuyse of the George police.
He then threw the victim on the floor in her bedroom took bank cards and demanded cash. The victim was lucky and managed to press the panic button after the suspect had fled with her bank cards and an undisclosed amount of money.
George South:
About two hours later in George South a young woman was overpowered at about 13:00 when she tried to unlock her house door. A man with a knife forced the victim inside the house to her bedroom where he demanded money and cellphones. He also threatened her that he would rape her if she did not cooperate. She handed three cellphones to him after which he fled.
Denneoord:
Raymond Katywa (33) from Lawaaikamp, was arrested by member of the public on Friday afternoon. Katywa a regular job seeker in Church Street was arrested after a 72-year-old woman, who was alone at home, were overpowered and robbed.
Esterhuyse said the incident occurred at about 15:40.
“The suspect forced the victim into her bedroom and demanded money and her mobile phone while he threatened her with a knife. Meanwhile, the victim’s 74-year-old husband returned home and caught the suspect in the act.”
The suspect fled and the man chased after him in his car and other residents helped to apprehend the suspect. The police were contacted and Katywa was handed over to them. Police are investigating the possibility that Katywa was involved with the other incidents. On Monday bail was denied and Katywa remained in custody.
This is the second robbery in two weeks in Church Street. On 7 November, another resident in her home got surprised by a robber and he even demanded to be taken to Thembalethu.
Esterhuyse said the robber armed with a knife, also demanded money and cellphones. The victim was forced to her car. With the knife at her head, she was forced to take him to the Thembalethu after which he jumped out and ran away.
Brigadier Phindelwa Mavakala thanked the residents for their vigilance and courage that led to Katywa’s arrest. Mavakala asked all residents of the town to be more alert with the coming festive season and to be more attentive when they leave their home and return.
“Culprits are desperate for money and target the vulnerable in our communities. If your neighbors are vulnerable or elderly, help them. We must take hand during the festive season,” said Mavakala.
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