So just after I wrote my last blog on July 26th I headed to meet the ladies for dinner back in downtown Cape Town. I took the train, and by now it was clearing up quite nicely. The train was crammed and took a really long time to get the Cape Town but all was fine, until…
I got off the train and was headed back to the hostel, I didn’t really know where I was going but I thought that I would just walk out and ask some people where the main street I knew was and head in the direction away from the water. I was not in top form, my pants were moist all over and soggy at the ankles. My bag was drenched and I was carrying my now 10 lb hoodie cause it was so wet.
As I was leaving the station I saw a few exits to use but they looked pretty sketchy, and being the dusky time that it was I decided to go out a more populated way. I went outside and decided to turn right, towards the largest buildings. Right after I made that choice I saw a large group of African men who looked like they were up to no good. As I walked through the group I noticed that some of them were following me. I turned and told them to go away, I’m not an idiot, especially after the Swaziland mugging. They surprisingly didn’t leave and one of the four pulled out a knife while another guy in a black tuque (“beanie” for all you Americans) with a marijuana leaf jammed his hand down my pocket. I resisted a little and grabbed the guy’s hand that was in my pocket.
Seconds later I was alone and continued walking, I thought that this was somewhat normal and was relieved that they didn’t get my laptop and camera in my bag, along with my credit cards! As I was walking away, some people asked me, “Did you just get robbed?” I said yes. They asked who had done it and I pointed to one of the guys (the one with the hand in my pocket) and a bunch of people ran off towards him. As more people were running toward him they told me to follow. I ran a little and caught up with a crazy sight.
I came up on a small crowd of 15-20 people, one man was holding the thief’s arms behind his back and an older woman was hitting him with her bag and her hands. Others were throwing kicks and punches. I wanted to tell them that he only got R40 ($6) but I don’t think that would have mattered. It was an odd sight to see this corporal punishment first hand. These people seemed angry; angry at people that gave their town a bad name, angry at people that added to racial tension. One thing was certain, they were a lot angrier than I was.
Now we went off to the police station. The whole way back the guy who was holding the thief kept slamming him into doors before they opened and throwing him against walls. It was pretty brutal. We arrived at the station and the thief went in to get searched. The 4 men that came along (some supposedly witnesses) were all excited, now this was entertainment! But when I said that I was leaving the city the next day their interest vanished and they all left. I couldn’t have a case against this man because I would be gone. He would be released that night but hopefully the old lady’s reprimands and angry slaps would come into his mind every time he thought of doing it again, but most likely not.
I guess when a culture feels they lack protection from outside sources they take it upon themselves to fill the gap. Quite the eye opening experience; not to expensive either, considering the adrenalin rush and the entertainment value, and I got a free ride to my hostel (I didn’t know it but it would’ve been a really long walk.) Praise Jesus that I’m OK and just a little shaky.
Keep the safety prayers coming!!! I need them.
