Gauteng provincial minister of community safety Firoz Cachalia and his wife, Nazira, were mugged while walking at Emmarentia Dam, a popular recreation spot in Johannesburg, the Star reported on Monday.
The two were enjoying an evening stroll when they were attacked ”by two knife-wielding men on Friday at about 6.45pm”, Cachalia’s spokesperson Dumisani Ngema was quoted as saying.
The couple were not injured.
The attack happened ”in the same vicinity” in the park as attacks on another two couples, apparently by the same two men.
”The important fact is that the MEC’s [provincial minister’s] resolve to fight crime and improve public safety remain undiminished,” Ngema said.
A case had not yet been opened with the police. Cachalia was expected to report the matter officially to police on Tuesday, Ngema said.
In February, Cachalia was in the news when he denied pledging to quit if crime levels did not decline.
He said he had been asked by a journalist at the launch of the Iron Fist anti-crime operation if he would consider resigning should crime not decrease.
He responded at the time, saying he would consider it if he came to the conclusion that there was something he could have done but did not do. – Sapa