A Stellenbosch University (SU) student who was robbed at gunpoint on the corner of Borcherd and Andringa streets last week, claims she was treated poorly by police and mocked for being scared.
Borcherd Street, Stellenbosch, where Annika Vermeulen, a second-year engineering student at Stellenbosch University, was robbed and held at gunpoint on Tuesday, 22 September. PHOTO: Celeste Rabie
Annika Vermeulen, a second-year engineering student was on her way to the SU engineering faculty, at 12:30, when she was held at gunpoint by a man and robbed of her cellphone on 22 September, she told SMF News.
As Vermeulen turned onto Borcherd Street, she said she noticed a man walking towards her.
The thought of walking to the other side of the road crossed her mind, but as she looked up, he already had a gun aimed at her, she said.
The thief then demanded she give him her phone, Vermeulen said.
“I didn’t know what to do, so I just hesitated, and I couldn’t say anything,” she said.
He was “looking around frantically” before threatening to shoot her, she said.
Vermeulen gave the robber her phone, and said he ran off towards the department of home affairs on Ryneveld Street.
Vermeulen claimed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) were not helpful and that she had to ask an officer to question potential witnesses after he received a tip-off about the robber’s location.
Cape Town Data reports that while the majority of crimes have decreased in Stellenbosch in 2026, petty theft and house break-ins have increased. INFOGRAPHIC: Celeste Rabie
It was only after her friends had gone to SU Campus Security that additional police cars arrived, Vermeulen said.
Among Vermeulen’s other complaints against SAPS are that officers asked her to go into the building where the suspect was thought to be; that officers treated her with disinterest and that they had told her to wait her turn when she became emotional and started crying.
“It was so difficult and frustrating,” said Vermeulen. She added the police officer told her he would not help her if she would not compose herself.
According to Vermeulen, her pleas to be allowed a phone call went ignored.
SAPS did not respond to numerous requests for comment at the time of publication.
SMF News requested input from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, which investigates complaints about crime and misconduct by SAPS and Metro Police Services but they declined to comment.
According to SafeSuburb, from April-June 2026, Stellenbosch is the precinct with the highest robbery rate in the Cape Winelands. INFOGRAPHIC: Celeste Rabie
Sarah Theron, known as “SU Mother” on the SU anti-gender-based-violence (GBV) WhatsApp group, said that she considers it a “predatory, vicious act to aim a firearm at someone”.
Theron urged SU to broaden the parameters of its security services to protect students in all SU-related faculties and hostels.
The safety of its staff and students is one of SU’s “highest priorities”, said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
SU Campus Security was alerted to assist in the situation, and described this as forming part of the “ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and enhance safety in the area”, Viljoen said.
He added that the university “constantly reviews its existing safety processes” and Campus Security focuses on four key areas: “Increased security, greater safety awareness, implementing technology such as CCTV and alarms, and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders in and around campus.”