American tourist hijacked
2009-08-27 10:21


Johannesburg - An American tourist was hijacked after leaving OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, The Star reported on Thursday.

Hartmut Detler, 69, said he was being transported from the airport to a lodge near Sun City in a tour operator's minibus on Wednesday when a gang of armed men forced the vehicle off the road on the R21 highway.

Detler and the driver, Geoffrey Maladzhi, were tied up and told to lie down. They were kept hostage for more than half an hour.

"In the beginning they were very rough and threatening. They said they would shoot us if we moved," he told The Star.

"Later they started taking my shoelaces to try to tie us up. One guy pretty much sat on me."

Detler was robbed of his watch, a camera and R300 in US dollars.

'I didn't expect this'

"People (in SA) are very friendly. I didn't expect this."

Dettler said he would not cut short his trip as he had already paid for it.

The hijackers abandoned the vehicle when they could remove its tracking device.

The tour company said it took the police more than half an hour to arrive at the scene, even though seven police cars allegedly drove past the scene and failed to stop.

The police are investigating the alleged slow response.

According to the newspaper, the driver suspects they were followed from the airport.



- SAPA

They better get a handle on security around the airport before next year or the World Cup will leave them with a huge black eye instead of the PR they are hoping for.

I can assure you, just like in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, all of the crooks and thugs are salivating over the influx of victims, I mean tourist.

Maybe the world will see what "progress" has done for that country.

I heard of a similar story awhile back where the customs officer was involoved. He would inform his buddies when someone had a large amount of money on the customs form.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Maybe the world will see what "progress" has done for that country.

I'll second that.

Besides the concentration of criminals, Jo'berg's gonna have major problems with lodging for the World Cup.
OR Tambo has certainly been improved physically, but the petty thieves/spies are still allowed to roam freely as baggage assistants. It's a bad idea to show any cash or major jewelry there.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Maybe the world will see what "progress" has done for that country.

I'll second that.

+2 we can only hope so.....

quote:

The tour company said it took the police more than half an hour to arrive at the scene, even though seven police cars allegedly drove past the scene and failed to stop.

Unbelivable

Seloushunter