Pretoria couple robbed en route to Cape holiday
"It was at this moment that I thought my life was over and we would just become another statistic."
A Pretoria couple’s holiday plans were ruined when they were robbed en route to Cape Town on Friday evening.
Mariska Keyter and her boyfriend, Jean-Paul de Koker, left for Cape Town around 20:00 to arrive in the early hours of Saturday morning in Oudshoorn.
The Moreleta Park couple was planning on visiting friends who live in the area, Keyter told Rekord.
Keyter said they were looking forward to their vacation as it would be their last in the country as De Koker is moving to China soon.
“If only we knew what was in store for us,” said Keyter.
According to Keyter, about 5km past the Grasmere toll gate on the N1, their vehicle struck a rock in the middle of the road.
“We had two flat tyres and had to pull over to the side of the road.
“I immediately phoned Outsurance road assistance to come to our aid.”
While Keyter was making the call, three armed men approached her and grabbed the phone from her hand.
They then searched De Koker for any possessions on his person.
“The men then ordered the two of us to walk over a hill away from the road towards some bushes.
“It was at this moment that I thought my life was over and we would just become another statistic.
“It’s a terrible feeling when your life and one of someone you love deeply are all of a sudden in the hands of people who want to hurt you.”
They were both terrified but knew it was in their best interest to remain calm and not antagonise the robbers.
The suspects, however, left the couple unharmed and made off with cellphones, a laptop and a couple thousand rand in cash.
“We were able to make it home safely but are both still in shock.”
Keyter said their shock soon turned into anger that their holiday plans were foiled by criminals.
“It saddens me that we can’t be safe in our own country,” Keyter wrote in a Facebook post.
“I am very grateful that we were able to escape this ordeal with our lives.”
Keyter wanted her experience to be a lesson to South Africans to be especially careful when driving at night or avoid doing so if possible.
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