SHARPEVILLE – The victims of a brazen tavern raid in Tshepiso Phase 1 are still reeling from shock as they come to terms with the horrific incident that changed their lives forever. This follows an attack by a group of armed men at Themba’s Tavern on June 19.

Speaking to Ster North, victims say they are still shaken by events that followed after the group gained entry into the tavern as employees were about to close shop. Cash, cellular phones, and alcoholic beverages were seized before three women were raped multiple times.

“We live in fear, and we cannot guarantee that we are safe. Our worst fear stems from the fact that some of the men are still out there,” they said.

Following the attack at the business premises, suspects forced entry into the house of the owner, Themba Khambule (63), and demanded cash.

Recalling the incident, Khambule says he was asleep in bed when a noise suddenly jolted him awake.
“Before I knew it, they lifted me off my bed and put me on the floor. They shot my leg multiple times before they demanded money.” Khambule says that he complied with their requests.

“What hurt me is that after they shot me, I lay in a pool of blood and they fetched my two kids and placed them in my blood.” Khambule says the incident left his kids traumatised.

“You know kids are not like us. When you are older, you try your best to come to terms with events that have taken place in your life. With kids it is different. It is almost two months since the incident happened, but the kids still carry that fear.”

Speaking about how the shooting affected him, the now wheelchair bound Khambule says it has made his life extremely difficult.

“I now depend on other people to help me, but before, I was mobile and could do everything myself.”
However, Khambule says he is grateful to be alive. “I have heard about these incidents, and most of the time, victims don’t live to tell the story.

The six suspects arrested three days after the raid have since appeared at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court for their bail application. The application continued on August 17 and has been postponed to August 25.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela confirmed the suspects are charged with business robbery, three counts of rape, a house robbery, and attempted murder. Maxambela said that investigations are ongoing and more arrests are imminent.