Edgemead residents are still shaken up after a woman was stabbed to death in the quiet suburb on Freedom Day morning.
The 31-year-old domestic worker was attacked and stabbed by an unknown man in Letchworth Drive, in front of Edgemead High School, while on her way to work on Friday April 27.
Residents of Edgemead and surrounding suburbs took to social media to express condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and voice their disgust at the incident.
The woman was a resident of Wallacedene, near Kraaifontein, and worked in Edgemead.
The Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch described the incident as “sickening news” in a statement and extended their condolences to the family of the woman.
Bothasig SAPS said a murder case has been opened.
Warrant Officer Jacques Mostert, spokesperson for Bothasig SAPS, said the victim was seen walking and using the alley across the nature reserve between Monte Vista and Edgemead. “A well-dressed male wearing dark clothes and a hat was seen running in the same direction. A short while later the same man was seen running back in the alley from Edgemead to Monte Vista,” he said.
SAPS was assisted by various organisations like neighbourhood watches from Bothasig, Edgemead, Monte Vista, Tygerdal and Plattekloof. They were also joined by security companies but they were unable to find the suspect.
Jakes Bloemhoff, chairperson of Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch, said they were shocked by what happened as they always try to keep high visibility in the area. “The Eskom Reserve (which is an open piece of land people use) is a high-risk area and a major issue for us. That reserve is close to where the stabbing happened and just a night later, two houses were broken into in that area. The area is a hot spot for crime and we try to frequently patrol the area,” said Mr Bloemhoff.
Residents expressed their views on the stabbing on social media. Posting on the Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, Edgemead resident, Tersia Reynierse, said it was a tragic incident but that it was, “heart-warming to see the watches stand together to try and catch the culprit. Condolences to family of the lady and her employers.”
Commenting on the same platform, Grant van Rensburg said the Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch has always done an excellent job of trying to keep the community safe and that this was a tragic thing to happen. “I really love Edgemead, it is such a peaceful place. My most sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” he said.
Eleni Gramatica wrote on the Bothasig Neighbouhood Watch Facebook page that a community fund-raiser was started to raise funds to send the body to the woman’s family in Zimbabwe.
“At present, there is speculation about the identity of the man who took her life,” she said.
