A 45-year-old man from Tshwane’s Winterveld extension is still in shock after falling victim to a terrifying robbery while attempting to buy a secondhand car through Facebook Marketplace. On February 5, the man contacted the seller of a VW Polo Playa, and upon arriving at the meeting location, he was confronted by eight assailants armed with knives. The incident is believed to be connected to the notorious “Skanai” scam.
According to the victim, things quickly turned violent as his friend tried to defend them but was stabbed in the chest. Despite the attack, his friend managed to overpower one of the assailants, taking the knife and injuring two of the attackers. The victim and his friend were left traumatized but are grateful that they survived the ordeal. The victim is now warning others about the scam, especially in Winterveld, urging caution when purchasing items from the area.
The man recounted that, after the attack, his stolen phone continued to ring, and a woman answered, claiming to have purchased the device from someone. However, when the authorities attempted to contact her, the phone went to voicemail. The victim is left with lingering questions and concerns, and his family is relieved that he’s alive but shaken by the traumatic experience.
Tshwane police are investigating the incident. Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed the robbery, detailing how the victim’s friend was stabbed and the thieves fled with stolen items, leaving the crime scene before authorities arrived. The investigation is ongoing as police work to uncover the identities of the perpetrators and prevent further scams in the community.
