Residents of Bellville are calling for action after a vicious attack caused a man who ‘would not hurt a fly’ to lose a kidney while passing a notorious ‘problem house’ in the neighbourhood.
Also read: Law enforcement arrest alleged mugger, targeting hikers on Kloof Street
Wiehan Smalberger, a merchandiser at OK Foods Blomtuin in Suikerbos Street, was travelling to work last Thursday at around 6am from the taxi stand in Voortrekker Road when he passed by the home in Mooigezicht Street, Chrismar.
After the owner passed away, the house was quickly occupied by homeless people.
Taps, wires, basins and toilets were all broken off or sold, along with everything else of value.
Different rooms have been set on fire and used for defecation, making them all but uninhabitable.
People who frequent the home or who live there are said to have attacked Smalberger when he passed by, stabbing him repeatedly in the face, his kidney, and his back.
During the incident, his phone was taken.
He was able to flee and drag himself to the Blomtuin Shell Garage, where the police were summoned.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
News24 reports that Smalberger has reportedly been discharged from the intensive care unit at Karl Bremer Hospital, according to Edward Ribeiro, owner of OK Foods.
Ribeiro said that Smalberger has been a beloved employee for about eight years, and the entire staff is worried about his health.
‘I don’t think that’s just a mugging,’ Ribeiro says.
‘That’s someone on drugs.’
Smalberger was discovered on Shell’s floor, according to Bellville Police Station spokesperson Captain Aubrey Morwenyane, and a case of assault with the intent to cause great bodily harm was immediately opened.
According to him, nothing was recorded at the address in Mooigezicht Street.
Both the owner of the Shell, Johan van Zyl, and Edward Ribeiro claim that Smalberger’s collapse was caused by an assault by occupants of the house.
‘He wasn’t attacked here,’ Van Zyl says.
For months, the house on Mooigezicht Street has been a source of contention for the Chrismar Neighbourhood Watch.
Theo Galloway, the watch chair, has called the police about it almost every day.
He would not allow TygerBurger‘s journalist to visit the house alone and claims that it is now too dangerous to enter the property at night without a gun.
The property has been designated a Problem Building in accordance with the Problem Property By-law, according to Wayne Dyason, a spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement.
Dyason advises residents to report criminal activity to the South African Police Service in response to issues they encounter.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Also read:
Bellville pensioner robbed and assaulted by men asking for food
Picture: Saif71.com / Unsplash