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Muizenberg residents are urged to be cautious or to walk in pairs at Sunrise Beach, this after two robberies have been reported since the beginning of April.
In the latest incident, a 50-year-old woman was robbed of her pepper spray while trying to ward off two men on Thursday 12 May.
In a post on social media, Jean Redpath recounted how two men, who pretended to pick up rubbish, suddenly ran towards her at Sunrise Beach.
“I was mugged on Sunrise Beach this morning at about 08:00. The two men, one older, one younger, were pretending to pick up rubbish along the dunes.”
Redpath said she used pepper spray on the young man who ran towards her.
“When the younger one ran towards me, I sprayed him with pepper spray (after warning him I would). It had little effect on him. Unfortunately, some of the spray blew in my direction and blinded me. I was wrestled to the ground and they searched all my pockets, but I had nothing but doggie-doo bags and keys. They then ran away and I chased after, with my dogs finally pitching up for the chase. They threw the keys back at me. They took the pepper spray.”
Muizenberg Police Station commander Col Vassie Naidoo cautions beach-goers to walk in pairs.
“Muizenberg police confirms that a robbery occurred at Sunrise Beach on Thursday 12 May, where a 50-year-old woman was robbed by two unknown men while walking. The suspects took her pepper spray and ran away.”
At least two robberies at Sunrise Beach have been reported from the beginning of April to date.
“Residents are urged to always be cautious and to walk in pairs when walking at the beach,” says Naidoo.
Responding to the incident, community members commented on the effect robberies had on tourism.
Martin Struthmann wrote: “I had to advise people many times on Facebook tourism groups not to walk on Muizenberg Beach beyond the Zandvlei Estuary outlet. This is bad for business in Muizenberg, but my conscience tells me I need to warn people. Bad for Muizenberg, because they choose another beach, shop elsewhere and eat elsewhere. In turn, these tourists will report on their experiences on other beaches, and other tourists will follow them.”
Neville Sweijd, who claimed he had also been a victim in December last year, suggested a patroller on a quad bike.
“I was a victim in December. The problem is that arresting someone for an attempted mugging will just make room for others. We need a more sustainable solution to security on Sunrise Beach. I think we need a patroller on a quad bike at least, who can intervene quickly. Obviously, that would cost money but I for one would be happy to pay a monthly fee for such a service.”
Alex Williams, who also claimed he had been mugged, said two men came over the dunes and robbed them at knife point.
“I also had two men mugging me on the beach. I was too far in the wrong direction (sad that I have to even say that) but they came over the dunes, split and then came to me and the lady I was with from both sides with a knife. I think a quad bike would be amazing.”
Meanwhile, Katarina von Eckardstein commented that robbers are now using pepper spray to rob their victims.
“We were warned by a guy this morning that robbers are pepper-spraying the victims and robbing them. I guess someone else was attacked after you.
“Right next to a big pole a bit further from the FB (False Bay Surf) Lifesaving Club is a path that robbers use to get to the beach and also get away.”
Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Derick Muller says muggings are a concern.
“We have our monthly meetings with police and one of the things was a few muggings. We have raised the concern with the station commander.”
