Two on-duty police officers, both young constables, were robbed at gunpoint of their service pistols and a police radio at a Kraaifontein satellite police “base camp” last week.
The robbery occurred about 01:00 on Wednesday morning.
The police “base camp” in Buitesingel Street in Scottsdene is housed in a small park home-type of structure fenced off with only sandbags.
Information available to TygerBurger said the three robbers drove into the base camp and entered the office armed with an R5 assault rifle. Afterwards they fled in the direction of Wallacedene in a gold-coloured Mercedes-Benz.
The officers’ cellphones were also taken, but later found in the street.
In line with police protocol an internal case is being investigated by the Hawks, according to a reliable source. Both constables, who have served in the police for four years, were traumatised and debriefed after the incident.
The “base camp” was placed in the gang-ridden area several years ago to increase police visibility and take pressure off Kraaifontein police.
“I fear for the safety of police officers who man this small base camp in pairs of two,” said the source.
“They are very vulnerable here, a sitting target for criminals. The robbery must have been carefully planned.”
Scottsdene community members were shocked at the incident. “It’s hard to believe people who are here to protect us have been robbed. The office ought to be secured by a fence and gate. It would make us feel more secure too,” a resident who did not wish to be named said. No arrests had yet been made.
