It's a small world
Jun. 30th, 2009 05:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mahnmutSometimes the events are happening in such a sequence that one can't help but wonder if everything isn't deliberately linked in such an intricate way to give us a lesson.
Last week I was robbed by three guys on the street. At the point of a gun. At daylight. Yeah, that's right. But don't be shocked, I've been through this before. Their age however shouldn't fool anybody. Although they were kids, sure. Three young kids, I should say. Maybe between 15 and 20 or something like that. This is nothing new for me, I work in Alexandra after all. One of the most criminal quarters around Gauteng. But this time it happened on a back street in my very own neighborhood, Rosebank, which is supposed to be safer. But this is Jozi after all, there's nowhere safe enough. Anyway. I've gotten used to that. I never bring big cash with me anyway, just a couple of cards and documents.
I'm partially to blame for this too, you know. I wanted to take a shortcut on a backstreet so I should've known better. So I was taking a hike through Melrose in order to cut my way from M1 towards Oxford Rd, when the three guys came from one side of the street. When they made sure that there were just a couple of kids around, one raised an empty nylon bag which revealed a gun underneath, and he pointed it at me and grunted bluntly,
"Your wallet, mister."
I have a lot of experience with such people. Rule number one and only: do not try any heroic things, do what they say! So I instantly complied. I slowly opened my jacket and I started pulling my wallet out. I think I had just 500-600 Rand in there, plus my identity documents. Then I looked closer at the boys, and I think I recognized something familiar in one of them. I don't know why, but I felt a little encouraged by this so I attempted a conversation. In Isicamtho.
"I'm sorry, I don't have much money in here. But sure, take everything. And really, you should be in school now, it is dangerous to do this here at daytime."
They were a little puzzled that I was using their speech. Then the first guy frowned at me, and pointed the gun again, still continuing in English.
"No school, Mister. Give your wallet."
I stretched my hand.
"Drop it! Drop!"
I dropped the wallet in their direction. I looked more at the second guy. I think he realized that I knew something about him, because he was stepping from one foot to the other. Then he said to the boy with the gun,
"Come on, let us leave now!"
Then it dawned at me.
"Are... are you from Alex? I think I know your brother... or something..."
He looked at me for a second, surprised. But the first one growled,
"Shut up! I will shoot!"
Then I heard the click.... It was then when I realized that the stopper had been still off until this moment, but now it was a REAL gun. All my courage immediately evaporated. Now I realize that THIS HAS BEEN MY CLOSEST ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH SO FAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. These few seconds. For a moment I thought I was going to die. I would become the next number in the statistics. It didn't matter who I was, or what I had done for the likes of those three kids, but stupidity, misery and desperation... all was present in one place, and I was there at the wrong place in the wrong moment, and one push of that shaky finger and I was history.
But it lasted for just 2 seconds. The guy with the gun leaned down and took my wallet, and then, THANK GOODNESS he put the gun at the back of his trousers. I could breathe again...
I don't know why I spoke the next words... nor how was I able to utter anything at all, but I just said, in English, forgetting Isicamtho and everything,
"Please, will you just give me my id card? I will have troubles."
Guy 1 and Guy 2 looked at each other, apparently considering the matter. Guy 3 remained as silent as a chunk during all this time by the way.
"Please..."
Guy 1 made a nod to Guy 2 and he opened my wallet, then found my card and he left it on the ground, and they started to depart quickly. Then Guy 1 turned back,
"And don't call the police."
I didn't say anything. I was just still looking at Guy 2, still trying to recall who he was. AND THEN HE SMILED TO ME... I am sure he did!
I surely didn't call the police. I think I know why they're doing this. And now that I've learned who that boy was, I'm happy that I didn't. I've been through such situations before, I've heard things, and I know very well the reason for all this. Maybe I'm a pussy, OK, but I wouldn't cause this to them. Even if they rob me a dozen times...
But I did some actions soon afterwards, of course. For starters, I blocked my two credit cards which had been inside my wallet. Then I applied for the issuing of a new driving card. I think they stole a picture of Karen as well - very well, let them have it. Maybe they will look at her and they will realize that I'm just a guy like them... Or maybe they won't.
The point is, even though I'm shitting my pants now every time I return to those 2 seconds, I just CANNOT blame those three guys. I can't.
But here comes the crazy part.
All this happened last week, Wednesday. And this Monday, I was at a township meeting where some new seasonal jobs are being distributed. There were about 50-60 people there from all across south Alexandra. We had registered a dozen people to work with, and I personally prescribed short qualification courses to several of them. We were almost done, when I saw a familiar face...
I saw someone who looked almost like Guy 2 from the robber trio, only a couple of years older. And it snapped! This is why he looked so familiar to me! I knew it. This is his older brother, and I had been working on his case for some months!
After the meeting, I went to him and we had a conversation - first about his new job in the railway and then about his brother. I didn't tell him anything about what had happened last Wednesday, but I learned that his younger brother's name is Molefi, and he has completed only 5th grade in school. I insisted that he should bring Molefi the next time I visit and we will think of a proper job for him. So he agreed. Next Monday, then.
I cannot wait to meet him again. Maybe there is chance for Molefi. If I manage to divert at least one of the three from the way they've chosen, my 500 Rands, plus all the nuisance I have to endure now for the re-issuing of my documents, and my abrupt awakenings at night will have been fully reimbursed.
Last week I was robbed by three guys on the street. At the point of a gun. At daylight. Yeah, that's right. But don't be shocked, I've been through this before. Their age however shouldn't fool anybody. Although they were kids, sure. Three young kids, I should say. Maybe between 15 and 20 or something like that. This is nothing new for me, I work in Alexandra after all. One of the most criminal quarters around Gauteng. But this time it happened on a back street in my very own neighborhood, Rosebank, which is supposed to be safer. But this is Jozi after all, there's nowhere safe enough. Anyway. I've gotten used to that. I never bring big cash with me anyway, just a couple of cards and documents.
I'm partially to blame for this too, you know. I wanted to take a shortcut on a backstreet so I should've known better. So I was taking a hike through Melrose in order to cut my way from M1 towards Oxford Rd, when the three guys came from one side of the street. When they made sure that there were just a couple of kids around, one raised an empty nylon bag which revealed a gun underneath, and he pointed it at me and grunted bluntly,
"Your wallet, mister."
I have a lot of experience with such people. Rule number one and only: do not try any heroic things, do what they say! So I instantly complied. I slowly opened my jacket and I started pulling my wallet out. I think I had just 500-600 Rand in there, plus my identity documents. Then I looked closer at the boys, and I think I recognized something familiar in one of them. I don't know why, but I felt a little encouraged by this so I attempted a conversation. In Isicamtho.
"I'm sorry, I don't have much money in here. But sure, take everything. And really, you should be in school now, it is dangerous to do this here at daytime."
They were a little puzzled that I was using their speech. Then the first guy frowned at me, and pointed the gun again, still continuing in English.
"No school, Mister. Give your wallet."
I stretched my hand.
"Drop it! Drop!"
I dropped the wallet in their direction. I looked more at the second guy. I think he realized that I knew something about him, because he was stepping from one foot to the other. Then he said to the boy with the gun,
"Come on, let us leave now!"
Then it dawned at me.
"Are... are you from Alex? I think I know your brother... or something..."
He looked at me for a second, surprised. But the first one growled,
"Shut up! I will shoot!"
Then I heard the click.... It was then when I realized that the stopper had been still off until this moment, but now it was a REAL gun. All my courage immediately evaporated. Now I realize that THIS HAS BEEN MY CLOSEST ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH SO FAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. These few seconds. For a moment I thought I was going to die. I would become the next number in the statistics. It didn't matter who I was, or what I had done for the likes of those three kids, but stupidity, misery and desperation... all was present in one place, and I was there at the wrong place in the wrong moment, and one push of that shaky finger and I was history.
But it lasted for just 2 seconds. The guy with the gun leaned down and took my wallet, and then, THANK GOODNESS he put the gun at the back of his trousers. I could breathe again...
I don't know why I spoke the next words... nor how was I able to utter anything at all, but I just said, in English, forgetting Isicamtho and everything,
"Please, will you just give me my id card? I will have troubles."
Guy 1 and Guy 2 looked at each other, apparently considering the matter. Guy 3 remained as silent as a chunk during all this time by the way.
"Please..."
Guy 1 made a nod to Guy 2 and he opened my wallet, then found my card and he left it on the ground, and they started to depart quickly. Then Guy 1 turned back,
"And don't call the police."
I didn't say anything. I was just still looking at Guy 2, still trying to recall who he was. AND THEN HE SMILED TO ME... I am sure he did!
I surely didn't call the police. I think I know why they're doing this. And now that I've learned who that boy was, I'm happy that I didn't. I've been through such situations before, I've heard things, and I know very well the reason for all this. Maybe I'm a pussy, OK, but I wouldn't cause this to them. Even if they rob me a dozen times...
But I did some actions soon afterwards, of course. For starters, I blocked my two credit cards which had been inside my wallet. Then I applied for the issuing of a new driving card. I think they stole a picture of Karen as well - very well, let them have it. Maybe they will look at her and they will realize that I'm just a guy like them... Or maybe they won't.
The point is, even though I'm shitting my pants now every time I return to those 2 seconds, I just CANNOT blame those three guys. I can't.
But here comes the crazy part.
All this happened last week, Wednesday. And this Monday, I was at a township meeting where some new seasonal jobs are being distributed. There were about 50-60 people there from all across south Alexandra. We had registered a dozen people to work with, and I personally prescribed short qualification courses to several of them. We were almost done, when I saw a familiar face...
I saw someone who looked almost like Guy 2 from the robber trio, only a couple of years older. And it snapped! This is why he looked so familiar to me! I knew it. This is his older brother, and I had been working on his case for some months!
After the meeting, I went to him and we had a conversation - first about his new job in the railway and then about his brother. I didn't tell him anything about what had happened last Wednesday, but I learned that his younger brother's name is Molefi, and he has completed only 5th grade in school. I insisted that he should bring Molefi the next time I visit and we will think of a proper job for him. So he agreed. Next Monday, then.
I cannot wait to meet him again. Maybe there is chance for Molefi. If I manage to divert at least one of the three from the way they've chosen, my 500 Rands, plus all the nuisance I have to endure now for the re-issuing of my documents, and my abrupt awakenings at night will have been fully reimbursed.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-25 01:38 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-25 09:00 am (UTC)But I'll try to meet his bro in two Mondays again... I don't know, this time shall I tell him what happened?