Students of Stellenbosch University (SU) are worried about their safety. Locals are often mugged in the streets of Stellenbosch, but these crimes are not regularly reported.
Captain Natalie Martin, Corporate Communications Officer for SAPS, says that muggers often approach their victims with weapons such as “knives, firearms, sticks, and sharp objects”.
Martin further says that there are many cases of muggings that are often not reported. “Students don’t have time to report to the police,” Martin says.
The crime statistics for 2019, however, have not yet been released by SAPS. Crime Stats SA indicates that reported cases of common robbery dropped from 278 cases in 2017 to 196 cases in 2018.
Stellenbosh crime statistics reported by Crime Stats SA. PHOTO: Liezl Human.
With regards to robbery with aggravating circumstances, 498 cases were reported in 2018 and 502 cases in 2017. There has been a significant rise over the past few years, from 223 cases reported in 2012 and 328 cases reported in 2013.
The SAPS 2017/2018 report indicates that the only thing distinguishing common robbery from robbery with aggravating circumstances is whether a weapon was used during the crime.
Reece Butler, a BCom Investment Management student, had his phone stolen from him earlier this year on Bird Street. He was assaulted when he tried to retrieve his phone from the mugger.
“[The mugger] seemed to be intimidating [a girl], so I got in between them and he grabbed my phone. I then proceeded to run after him, due to having been mugged before,” Butler says.
Reece Butler, BCom Investment Management student, was assaulted after he attempted to retrieve his phone from a mugger.
“I eventually got my phone back; someone helped me get the guy to the ground. And then, when I turned away, next thing I knew, I was getting stabbed in the face, repeatedly, by a fork.”
Butler had to get nine stitches on his eye. He did not file a report at the police since, he says, “It seemed a bit pointless.”
Thabile Majodina, a BSc Forestry student, was also mugged on Bird Street earlier this year. The mugger managed to break the strap off her bag, after which he ran down Du Toit Street.
“All my stuff was in there – phone, keys, bank card, drivers – so I ran after him,” Majodina says. The mugger jumped into a waiting car which then sped off.
The stretch of road on Bird Street, Stellenbosch, where both Butler and Majodina were mugged. PHOTO: Liezl Human
“They were basically waiting for someone to rob and I was the unlucky girl,” she says. “I was advised after the incident to rather have let it go and not chased after them.”
In terms of prevention measures, Majodina says, “Just Uber or Taxify, or sleepover at a friend’s place. And pay closer attention in general.”
Martin also provides some prevention measures to be taken. “Walk in groups. Be vigilant, don’t have valuables visible or walk alone.”