I, like thousands of others, watched with horror as a security video showed an 86 year old Somerset West resident being hi-jacked outside her home. If you haven’t seen it, here it is…
Mrs. Sue Smuts lives with her son and was returning home from a shopping trip. She stopped outside her home and probably was getting her thoughts and things together when a young man cockily approached the car and with immediate evil intent, tried to open the door. It was locked, so he engaged Sue and after she opened the window a crack, he shoved his hand into the window, unlocked the car door and dragged this poor elderly lady out of the car, dumping her on the roadside.
It was so shocking.
The man then drove away. He took the car towards Macassar but first stopped in at Elsies River Pick and Pay where he tried to exchange Mrs. Smuts’ shopping for cash. His plan was not well thought through and when he couldn’t provide a reason for the exchange the cashier alerted security. He ran away from the shop and drove to Macassar where he abandoned the car. When he returned to it later, he was arrested – it was 22 hours after the incident. The 37 year old appeared in court on Monday.
All this came from News 24.
According to the report, Mrs Smuts has recovered well. She was completely shocked at the time and very angry, but she has recovered and is somewhat surprised that her video has gone viral. She says that it’s not a bad thing because it may help others in knowing what to do.
It’s been heart-warming to see that many people have reached out to Mrs. Smuts with flowers and gifts and offers of money. She’s been quite touched, but seems very philosophical about it all. When you are 86, a lot of water has flown under the bridge and life does go on. I read another report that quotes her as saying she is not paranoid and is pretty much prepared for any event, but that next time she will be faster.
Mrs. Smuts did well in keeping her doors locked. In hindsight, it would have been wise to keep the window closed and not engage the man. If you ever feel insecure, start the car and drive away.
Proverbs 1:18-19 says a very interesting thing about people who are violent
“But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.”
They’ll never get away with it, even if they are not caught by local police.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx