A 26-year-old woman escaped without physical injuries after she was allegedly attacked by a man who attempted to rob her of her cellphone along New Glasgow Road in Hazelmere- KwaZulu-Natal, tonight (Wednesday).
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were conducting patrols towards Hazelmere a KZN at approximately 20:42 when a member of the public flagged down their response vehicle. The individual reported that a woman was being targeted in an attempted cellphone robbery.
Reaction Officers responded and interviewed the victim, identified as 26-year-old.
She explained that she was walking from Verulam CBD – KZN towards Hazelmere – KZN when she reached a poorly lit section of road just beyond a bridge.
An unknown male, who was allegedly heavily under the influence of alcohol, grabbed her right hand, which was holding her smartphone (iPhone 10), and attempted to take it. The woman resisted and refused to surrender her cellphone.
The suspect allegedly pushed her into dense bush (image 3) along the riverbank during the ensuing struggle.
Her cellphone fell into the river and could not be recovered.
The victim’s clothing, including the back of her top, skirt and head area, was left heavily soiled after the confrontation. She did not report any physical injuries.
The suspect’s friend contacted his family and informed them of the incident. Family members arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and intervened, reportedly urging the victim not to open a criminal case.
The woman demanded R2,000 to replace her cellphone. The amount was subsequently transferred into her bank account via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Reaction Officers were forced to release the suspect when the complainant opted not to register a criminal case.
