Winterveld Skanai Scam: Father and Daughter Left Traumatised After Violent Robbery

by Thabiso Rakgaka

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A father and his 12-year-old daughter are left traumatised after being victims of a violent robbery in Winterveld, Tshwane, on 16 December 2024. The father had gone to buy a PlayStation, advertised online for R4,000 on Facebook Marketplace. Once he arrived, a man named Simon Chauke sent a boy to guide him to the location. However, as he was speaking with the boy, robbers ambushed him—one struck him on the head with a gun, while another attempted to steal the car keys.

The father managed to flee and run to a nearby taxi, heading to the police station for help, but not before the robbers stole several valuable items. Among the stolen goods were two iPhones (worth R41,000 and R31,000), his daughter’s phone (R3,000), R400 in cash, and a wallet containing bank cards. He also had to pay R2,000 to replace the car keys. His daughter, who was left behind, was later helped by the local community, but the traumatic experience has left both of them shaken.

The father, still struggling with the psychological effects of the robbery, shared that he has been experiencing nightmares since the incident. He added that he was aware his stolen iPhones could be tracked to a shop in Mabopane, but he is too afraid to go there due to the area’s reputation for being dangerous. The family plans to seek therapy on 11 January 2025 to cope with the emotional fallout from the traumatic event.

Gauteng police have opened a case of armed robbery, although no arrests have been made. Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo of the police has warned the public about the rising threat of “skanai scams,” where criminals use online platforms like Facebook Marketplace to lure victims into dangerous situations. The father’s previous experience with crime—his sister was hijacked in Soshanguve nearly four years ago—highlights the ongoing safety risks in the region.

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