A Dutch-Thai couple, who were victims of a violent robbery on Monday, January 29, 2025, have found hope and assistance from local citizens and law enforcement after being left stranded without their belongings. The couple, consisting of a 71-year-old man from Amsterdam and his 57-year-old partner from Thailand, were sightseeing at Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope when they were attacked.
The assailants, identified as boewe, beat the woman and viciously dragged her along the ground because she refused to let go of her moonbag. This bag contained €9,000 (approximately R176,000), their passports, and various pieces of jewelry. Despite suffering injuries to her arms and legs, the woman managed to provide the police with a report following the incident.
After the robbery, the couple filed their complaint at the Cape Town Central Police Station, pleading for assistance to return home. They had been staying at a guest house outside Stellenbosch and had initially planned to enjoy their visit to Cape Town. Law enforcement officials and good-hearted locals responded swiftly, recognizing the couple's plight and stepping forward to help.
Local resident and guest house worker, Latoyah Visagie, played a significant role in providing support. She had advised the couple to store their valuables safely at the hotel, which unfortunately did not happen before their ill-fated sightseeing trip. Visagie shared with reporters how the male tourist was able to reach out to the German Embassy amid their distress, indicating the urgency of their situation. “We spoke with the officer from Law Enforcement and provided the SA number of the couple if they can assist them,” Valoyah noted.
Regrettably, the couple was left with only one desire: to return home. “They only had one desire, and that's to get back home,” the male tourist told the Cape Argus, speaking Dutch. It became evident throughout their ordeal, the focus shifted from their stolen belongings to their need for assistance.
On Wednesday, January 31, 2025, the couple began their travel to Pretoria, where they were expected to meet with officials from the Thai Embassy. Visagie confirmed they had successfully reached the Thai Embassy by phone, which provided the necessary documentation for the woman’s passport re-application. She had also emailed the Cape Argus article about the robbery to the embassy as supporting documentation, greatly raising their plight as a priority emergency.
Further, Visagie mentioned, “I also provided an incident report on what happened and the police report and a copy of the woman's passport as there is a copy on her cellphone.” This proactive approach not only helped protect the couple's identity but also connected them to the right resources to salvage their trip.
Encouragingly, the response from the Cape Town community has been overwhelmingly supportive. Other residents reached out, offering assistance and resources to help the couple return to their home country. It reflects the compassion and care present within the community, particularly when faced with criminal activities. “Another person, a member of the public also made contact asking if they can assist the couple, if they needed anything,” Visagie added.
Despite the traumatic experience, the couple was also fortunate to hear about the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect soon after the incident took place. According to police spokesperson FC Van Wyk, investigations are still underway, and this swift action sends a message to criminals operating within the area.
SANParks had previously reported a decrease in robbery incidents over the festive season, which now contrasts sharply with this unfortunate event. With 60 crimes reported over November, December, and January, down from 64 the previous year, the increase of visitors to the popular tourist sites remains evident. The incident has caused some concern among visitors, but it is the support from the community and quick actions from law enforcement officials, such as those assisting the couple, demonstrate resilience.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to step forward and help, urging community involvement to combat crime and support one another during difficult times. Anyone with tips can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or 021 467 8001.