Narrow shave for well-known businessman

Well-known Thohoyandou businessman, Mr Yakub Patel said he has only God to thank for sparing his life. Patel (65) of Thohoyandou said he had already left his shop and was waiting outside for his staff who were closing the shop, when out of the blue he was surprised by four men who robbed him of the day's takings, before hitting him on the head with the butt of the gun. They quickly boarded a waiting getaway car, a white Mercedes, and sped off. Patel was left sprawled on the tarmac, bleeding profusely. The incident happened on Monday, 24 May, at one of his businesses in Thohoyandou town. The incident has changed his attitude completely. "We are no longer safe here. Not even the elderly are secured. Thugs roam the streets with impunity," he said. According to him, life in South Africa seems like jail as people have to live in fortified dwellings that look like prisons. "One is never safe even at home or at work. I was once robbed at the gate of my house coming from work, which means there is nowhere to run to as they could follow you everywhere," he said. He said he will never forget the incident as he would always look at the mark on his head that would remind him of the attack. What worries him most is the fact that even though he did not resist, they felt not satisfied and hit him with a gun. "Thugs have become very ruthless nowadays. They aim to rob and maim or kill their victims without any reason. Police should help us. We are left helpless," he said. Two robbery attempts have been made at his businesses this year and in all of them they did not succeed. Ayub Madina, Patel´s son said he was worried that police did nothing to apprehend the suspects even though they saw the car. "They followed the getaway car, but stopped while the car skipped the red robots. They knew exactly where the thugs were at Tswinga, but chose not to pursue them. We are very concerned about the conduct of the police. It leaves much to be desired," he said. Limpopo police spokesperson, Captain Mashudu Malelo said they have opened an armed robbery case, but no one has been arrested.