DURBAN - A private security company apprehended a suspect believed to have been involved in the alleged cellphone robbery and attempted abduction of a woman in the Bluff area, south of Durban, last week.
A video circulating on social media showed the woman being assaulted.
In the video, a man is seen approaching the woman from behind and briefly walking beside her before trying to push or carry her towards the road. Her resistance prompts the man to assault her and land a few punches. Although a tree blocks the view, it seems like she falls to the ground. A white car parked further up the road reverses and the man sprints and jumps into it before it drives away, still in reverse, leaving the woman behind. She then emerges from in front of the tree and heads in the direction of the car.
The video was posted in a Facebook community group and with it was a message which said: “People please be aware … I just witnessed a young girl being dragged and forced into a car at Grays Inn. I was driving up the road and realised that something was very wrong because this child was struggling and fighting back. I turned my car around and managed to take the girl to her family.”
A video of what appears to be an attempted robbery and/or abduction has been circulating on social media. It is believed that one of the culprits has been arrested. | VIDEO: Facebook pic.twitter.com/ZoOrfTX8u4
The message further stated that the vehicle had three occupants in it, the driver was an Indian man and there were two black men in the back seat. The vehicle was a white Datsun Go with no number plates and had a huge sign on the back shield.
In a Facebook post, Security Force said they apprehended a man who had allegedly tried to abduct a woman in the Bluff area last week.
Security Force said they had received information through Community Policing Forum (CPF) groups of an attempted abduction and robbery.
“Our Tactical Response teams were mobilised on information of a possible location of the vehicle used in the abduction attempt,” Security Force said.
“On arrival, our Tactical members spotted the vehicle with one occupant. The vehicle was stopped, and positively identified with one suspect being apprehended.”
Security Force also said the police and CPF members stood off on the scene and the suspect and vehicle were handed over to the police.
Security Force said a case was opened at Brighton Beach police station.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said a complainant alleged that on November 25 at 3.30pm, she was walking down Grays Inn near Bluff Eco Park when a man approached her from behind and started walking with her.
“He suddenly grabbed her around her waist and struck her on her forehead and grabbed her cellphone before fleeing the scene in a white motor vehicle,” Mbele said.
She said a case of common robbery was opened at Brighton Beach SAPS for investigation.
“On November 26, 2021, Brighton Beach police arrested a 20-year-old suspect.”
The suspect appeared before the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday.
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