Muggers targeting pupils in Salt River

SALT River parents fear for their children’s safety after armed muggers have targeted pupils on their way home from school.

Yusrah Kassim, 15, from Gardens Commercial High was attacked at gunpoint just two streets away from her home.

On Wednesday, she took a late bus home at 3.30pm. She was the last passenger when she reached her stop, where two men were waiting.

“They grabbed me and they took me around the bus stop cubicle,” Yusrah said. “They cocked the gun and put it under my chin. They told me I must keep quiet otherwise they’re going to shoot.”

The men took her phone, money and school bag. “The one guy stared at me and then they smacked me.

“I didn’t even know what to think, I was so frozen, standing there for a while. Then I came home and burst into tears.”

Yusrah’s mother, Tasneem, was terrified to allow her to use public transport again.

“I feel like I failed as a mother because I wasn’t there,” Kassim said. “I can’t get it out of my mind. I fear for her to leave the house.

“Not for my child alone, for other children also, for parents who work and leave their children to get on public transport.”

She said it seemed as if the muggers had been watching pupils’ movements.

“Children get off there and it’s like they’ve been watching the kids, what time they get off the bus there,” Kassim said. “We need to spread the word out there, the police need do more to protect our kids on the streets.”

Mariam Daniels’s son had also been attacked on his way home from school. Shakeel, 16, had been on a train on a Friday three weeks ago when he was attacked by a man with a knife, who stole his cellphone.

“It could have been worse, but it still leaves him traumatised,” Daniels said. Her son was able to identify his mugger from a book of suspect photographs at the police station.

“The same guy robbed my son’s friend a few weeks earlier,” she said. “These guys are targeting anybody.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said Woodstock police were investigating Yusrah’s case.

“The complainant was stepping off the bus when she felt someone was pulling her left arm.

“When she looked back she saw two unknown males, the one suspect was pointing a firearm at her and he was demanding her belongings. No shots were fired and no injuries mentioned. No one has been arrested so far,” said Rwexana.