Parow Good Samaritan robbed at gunpoint

An elderly Parow West woman’s good deed ended up getting her mugged. Elizabeth Dreyer, 77, parked her silver Hyundai i20 in De Grendel Road and walked across the road to give food to a well-known newspaper vendor on Thursday November 3, just before 1.30pm.

“When she returned to her car, she noticed, a man heading towards her. He came to her window and demanded her ring, cellphone and wallet containing R4000,” said Parow police station commander Colonel Gert Nel. To drive home his demand, the man hit Ms Dreyer in the face several times.

“During the altercation, a City of Cape Town van drove past and tried to run the perpetrator over, but the man turned around and fired a shot at the van,” said Colonel Nel.

The robber ran over the road and jumped into a getaway car, driven by an accomplice.

Police believe the car was either a blue VW Polo or Jetta.

Colonel Nel said Ms Dreyer was visibly traumatised. She received medical attention at the scene and was taken home by her son.

Roger Cannon, chairman of the Parow Community Police Forum (CPF), said the neighbourhood watch WhatsApp group had alerted him to the attack immediately. It was the first time something like that had happened at that location.

“This spot is usually manned by a newspaper vendor who is well-known to the residents of the area.

“My advice to the community is to take no area for granted at any given time. Always be vigilant when you stop at any spot and check for any other people who may be around, whether standing, walking or vehicles parked near you.

“Sometimes we think because we are familiar with the surroundings that it is safe. There are criminals looking for opportunities at any given time,” he said.

Northern News was unable to reach Ms Dreyer for comment. The robbers are still at large; no identikits have been compiled and police are scouring the CCTV footage in and around the area in a bid to crack the case.

Anyone with information can call investigating officer Warrant Officer Johan Louw at 021 929 7100.