A South African couple who emigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago were robbed within 18 hours of arriving back for their first holiday here since leaving, News24 reported on Thursday.
Ruti and Naomi van der Merwe were asleep at the Cape Town home of friends when thieves made off with their travel documents, a new laptop, a camera and more than R1 000 in cash.
The thieves also left a chilling memento — a carving knife near their bed.
Naomi, a diabetes specialist, was in Cape Town to attend an international congress.
Her husband Ruti, who used to work for Volksblad newspaper, had not wanted to come to South Africa, but felt his wife needed a ”bodyguard”.
”I read News24.com every day and I know what’s happening here,” he said on Wednesday.
The Van der Merwes arrived in Cape Town last weekend. After their first night’s sleep at their hosts’ home, Ruti noticed that his watch was gone from next to his bed.
Closer inspection revealed that Naomi’s handbag, his sling-bag with their passports and plane tickets, cash, his camera and a new laptop bought specially for the congress, also were gone.
The thieves also stole a laptop and a hi-fi from the hosts. The burglars forced open a window with a screwdriver to gain entry to the house, which has high walls and an electric gate.
Ruti said he and his wife would complete their holiday in South Africa, but did not intend setting foot in the country again.
”One thing: I’m thankful that Naomi wasn’t raped and that they didn’t use the knife to stab me.” – Sapa