'Criminals are preying on mourners at crematorium'

 Durban - Mourners were left traumatised after being held at gunpoint and robbed at a funeral service for an elderly uMzinto woman at Clare Estate Crematorium in Reservoir Hills. On Monday evening, four men accosted a group of five mourners in the parking lot of the crematorium, making off with their possessions. They have not been apprehended.

A community crime forum told The Mercury on Tuesday that this was not an isolated incident, and that criminals were “preying” on mourners at the crematorium. They said it had got “out of hand” recently.

SAPS confirmed a case of armed robbery was being investigated. Spokeswoman Colonel Thembeka Mbele said six cellphones, a laptop, cash, and clothing were taken.

A representative of the crematorium said they had camera footage of the incident and would help police where they could. They said it was the first incident of that kind in the car park.

Rivaaj Ramdas, of community policing forum Tactical Shooting Team, who had responded to the scene, said there had been other robberies in the area this past week.

He said criminals favour the area the crematorium is in because they can easily flee via the adjacent golf course which leads on to the M19.

He said the male victims at the crematorium were extremely shaken. “It is disturbing - people are mourning and their guard is down.” He advised community members to be alert.