A woman wishes to warn others to be careful when they walk home at the end of their work day.
The 61-year-old Zimbabwean domestic worker explained her employer dropped her off at the ‘long weekend robot’ at the intersection of Voortrekker and Barratt Roads on Thursday afternoon, 9 July.
The woman and her employer went to the ATM at one of the shops close to the intersection and after withdrawing money *Lebo started walking home. She explained that she saw a black car in one of the side roads. After her employer had left a man got out of the vehicle and came walking towards her. He then forcefully directed her towards the vehicle.
She told News journalist, Natasha Pretorius, the man kept saying; “Mama we came to help you”.
Lebo said three men and one woman who spoke Zulu were involved. The man eventually forced her into the vehicle where he showed her a white card, which she identified as a police card. She assumed someone in the vehicle was a police officer.
The occupants took the R50 she had on her and asked her for her bank card and PIN. She explained to them that she did not have a bank account.
They then allegedly asked her if she had any money in her room at home. She said they kept saying, “No money, no what? No money in your room? If no money, I kill you.”
After insisting that she did not have any other money, one of the men allegedly said, “We won’t kill this one,” before stopping the car and ordering her to get out.
Before she left they allegedly warned her not to tell anyone about what happened or they would be back. Lebo said they took her cellphone and a box with shoes that her employer had gifted her, before kicking her out of the car.
When asked why she did not report the incident to the police, Lebo explained that she was scared because as far as she knew they were police officers. She now takes another route home, and want to warn others as she is aware of a number robbery incidents in that area.
*The name of the woman has been changed for fear of victimisation.
