Garland Ladies hear about harrowing hijacking ordeal
President Rhoda Toker said their focus this year is to increase membership.
The Garland Ladies Luncheon Club gathered on February 24 for networking, socialising and an interesting guest speaker, with guests invited to wear something red to celebrate the Month of Love.
President Rhoda Toker said their focus this year is to increase membership and urged any women interested to come along and experience an event.
They meet on the last Thursday of the month at Ebotse. The event includes lunch and a stimulating guest speaker and is often themed.
Previous guest speakers include Ruda Landman of Carte Blanche fame.
Anyone interested in attending a talk or joining the club can email Grace van Zyl at grace@aspirewealth.co.za
February’s guest speaker was Karen Landi, who shared a harrowing story with guests about being hijacked and assaulted in 2018.
The mum of two was driving in the south of Johannesburg just before 19:00 when a car with a flashing blue light sped up behind her.
She was on a hands-free phone call with a friend and told the friend to stay on the line as she was being pulled over.
“I seem to recall her telling me to not stop, just drive,” Karen said. “I wish I had listened.”
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A man with a gold tooth came to the window and said she was being pulled over for driving in the yellow lane.
Then things escalated quickly. The man grabbed her keys out of the ignition and he and two other men jumped into her car.
Karen was subjected to continuous beatings as they drove and eventually stopped on a gravel road. Here, one of the men threatened to rape her, stripping her of her pants and underwear, all the time delivering blows to her head and face.
They eventually left her bleeding and, thankfully, not raped on the side of the road, from where Karen walked to safety and found medical attention.
Karen urged women to learn from her experience and never stop the car if anyone tries to pull you over. Rather go to a public place or police station, she said.
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