Identikits of two men wanted for robberies in Athlone. Identikits of two men wanted for robberies in Athlone.
A so-called “copycat” Momadi gang has been robbing Athlone homes.
The Momadi gang of four was convicted in the Western Cape High Court last year after robbing homes in Camps Bay between 2006 and 2008. The men assaulted residents and tied them up before fleeing with their property.
Police have released identikits of two of the suspects linked to the robberies in Athlone, but frustrated residents say little is being done to contain the spate of burglaries. A petition has now been lodged.
One of the residents said three men broke into her home after forcing the front door with crowbars.
“They told us if we screamed they would shoot us. My first thought was: ‘Today, these people are going to kill us’,” she said.
”They forced my grandchild and the maid to lie face-down in the passage and took me to my bedroom. They took all the money I had. They then threw my mattress on top of me. I couldn’t breathe.”
Another resident, Mohamed Sibda, was also robbed at his home.
He said the gang of four men carried a firearm, pepper spray and a screwdriver – the same modus operandi used in the Camps Bay burglaries.
Sibda also said the “brazen” gang operated during the day, on many occasions during Friday prayers while the men were at the mosque.
“When these incidents took place in Camps Bay, a special police unit was assigned. However, the police have not responded to Athlone residents.”
An imam at the Habibia Mosque in Rylands, Goolam Qutboodien, said Athlone mosques supported the petition. “The police do not act as fast as they do in the white areas.” - Cape Times
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