Gatvol residents give two laaities a hiding for trying to rob cab driver
Nyanga residents gave two boys caught robbing an e-hailing taxi driver over the weekend a lekker hiding.
The high school kids, who looked about 15 years old, were caught and moered by the angry KTC community who say they are gatvol of crime.
The teens allegedly made a confession in a video making the rounds on social media.
According to the recording, this was not the first time they had lured an e-hailing driver to be robbed.
In the video, the boys said they had previously made requests for a ride and when the drivers arrived, they robbed them.
Residents say stolen cellphones are sold at the bus terminus “no questions asked”.
A Nyanga resident, who did not want to be named, says e-hailing drivers are often robbed in broad daylight in the area.
“There is a new strategy now where they use girls to request rides and when the drivers get here, they are robbed,” he says. “It is young boys and adults who do this.”
“Police have long warned drivers to not accept requests from here, but they do not listen.”
MOERED: The two Nyanga skelme
Councillor Khaya Yozi confirmed the teens were caught robbing a driver: “Yes, this is true. It is bad because my locals will be disadvantaged now going forward.
“This will affect especially women who have been using e-hailing for work and academic purposes.”
E-hailing drivers have been subjected to robberies in places like Khayelitsha Site C, Site B, Philippi and Nyanga.
At the beginning of the month, a 27-year-old e-hailing taxi driver was shot and killed in Khayelitsha.
The driver was picking up a customer in Site C when he was attacked.
Yozi condemned the spate of robberies: “As a community leader, I strongly condemn this act and I am appealing to the police to take strong steps against these criminals involved.
“We can no longer tolerate this type of behaviour in our communities.
“This overshadows the good work we are doing in improving the lives of our people.
“Strong action by our justice system will stop those who are thinking of doing the same.”
MOERED: The two Nyanga skelme
It is not yet clear what happened to the boys as police yesterday indicated there was no record of the incident.
The video was also shared on the e-hailing drivers’ Facebook page where some called for harsh punishment for the boys, while others argued that they are still young and need guidance.