Eleven Zimbabweans – five men, three women and three toddlers – were
rescued after three days in which some of their compatriots went
missing after being raped.
They had left Zimbabwe in a group of 23 – 15 men, five women and three toddlers.
The desperate group were lured into a van at Beit Bridge at Musina,
Limpopo, by three fellow Zimbabweans who promised to get them to South
Africa without any problems.
Instead, two women were raped and dumped on the way with 10 men.
Only eight reached Johannesburg and they were promptly locked in a tiny
room without a toilet and food and were forced to use a bucket to
relieve themselves.
We left Zimbabwe. When we got to the border three men approached us
and said they would take us to Johannesburg without going through the
border, said Calisto Dube.
He said their kidnappers told them they would have to cross the river because their car was waiting on the other side.
We walked for about 40km before we reached a Toyota Hilux bakkie and we were told it was to be our transport.
He said they squashed themselves into the back of bakkie because we hoped to have a better life in South Africa.
Dube said on the way two women were raped and thrown out of the moving vehicle.
He said others were dropped in different places along the way.
Another kidnapped man, Thomas Danga, told Sowetan that when they got to
Yeoville, Johannesburg, their kidnappers locked them in a room and took
their cellphones, money and clothes.
They told us that they would only release us if our relatives came with a R1000 a person.
He said they again had to share a small bucket to relieve themselves.
Can you imagine relieving yourself in front of strangers. We were sleeping on the floor with no blankets.
He said they were also not provided with food.
They only bought a one litre mageu for the children. That was after the kids were crying, said Dube.
Johannesburg Central police spokesperson Captain John Maluleke said
police were tipped-off by a relative of one of the kidnapped
Zimbabweans.
We found them in a tiny room with urine all over the place. It is
unbelievable human beings can do such a thing to their fellow beings.
He said three men were arrested and will appear in court soon. The
victims will undergo counselling to help them deal with their ordeal.
PHOTOS: BAFANA MAHLANGU
By Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Post published in: Politics