Zandvlei picnic terror
POPULAR SPOT: Zandvlei Resort in Muizenberg where the alleged beating and robbery took place POPULAR SPOT: Zandvlei Resort in Muizenberg where the alleged beating and robbery took place
The parents and youngsters went to the popular resort in Muizenberg to take a break from the ongoing gang violence in their area but returned home battered, bruised and robbed, they say.
Xavier Uren, 20, a matriculant at Mountview High, incurred the most injuries - he got a blou oog, and numerous stitches, with bandages around his head and body for stab wounds.
They are now trying to track down their attackers after one of the alleged thugs dropped a bag containing a curriculum vitae and a copy of an identity document.
“Everything happened so fast; I am not even sure how it happened,” Xavier tells the Daily Voice. “A guy came over to where we were sitting and asked for a lighter, and we gave it. He then walked past with a huge group of people and ugly words were said to us.
WORST OFF: Xavier Uren, 20, had most injuries
“To divert attention I put on my music and started dancing and everything went well. Out of the blue, about 30 people of that mob approached us - men, women and children - and just attacked us,” he says fighting back tears.
Xavier says the women tried to attack a mother holding her one-year-old toddler.
“I didn’t want to fight with women, but they came for the woman with her baby and I shielded them. Everyone was hitting me from behind. I fought back as I was stabbed with I don’t know what.
“Those women didn’t worry about the baby. The men were attacking everyone. They were throwing stones [and] glass bottles and stabbing people.
“We were 10 people and three to four people were attacking each of us. The children stole our things. One child even shouted, ‘Mammie, hier is nog ’n phone’.
“It was like these children were trained. We went home with nothing, they were robbing and undressing us and removing jewellery as we were being beaten,” Xavier says.
Pictures by Jack Lestrade
Aaqil Barnes, 17, was stabbed near his eye and on his ear, while Wareldia Barnes, 21, says she was beaten and urinated on.
The attackers also allegedly told the women they wanted to rape and kill them.
Police’s Sinathi Joni confirms an investigation is underway.
“Muizenberg SAPS is investigating a case of robbery and assault after an incident that allegedly took place on Sunday at 4.30pm. No arrests made at this stage,” Joni said.
Acting manager at Zandvlei Resort, Mr Dreyer, said: “I heard about the incident on Monday and we are not aware of details. We cannot just make allegations against others, therefore we are still investigating.”