According to a statement issued by CEO of Mangwanani Spa, Erin Limbert, on 27 February a bus transporting 20 guests from the Mangwanani River Valley branch located in the Hennops river valley near Hartbeespoort, back to Montecasino was ambushed. The incident took place at 11.30pm. The bus driver, Desmond Kwinda as well as 20 spa guests were in the vehicle at the time.
Apparently three men armed with R4 rifles forced their way into the passenger door of the bus where a woman passenger was seated. Usually security vehicles accompany the bus during the journey back to Montecasino, however this time the majority of the guests chose the self-drive option.
The suspects allegedly shoved the woman passenger, who was eight months pregnant and the driver Desmond Kwinda into the back of the bus and drove the bus towards Moshongoville, an informal settlement located on the outskirts of Atteridgeville.
The suspects stopped in a veld area and threw Kwinda and the woman passenger into the veld where they kicked them repeatedly. The suspects then proceeded to steal all the passengers cellphones, money, jewellery, tablets, cameras and handbags. According to Kwinda the whole experience lasted between one and a half to two hours.
Finally the suspects allowed the bus to leave, firing two gun shots into the air as Kwinda drove off with the guests. Kwinda drove straight to Montecasino and called the Douglasdale police and paramedics.
The Paulshof Security Initiative posted on its Facebook page that two of the guests involved in the incident were Paulshof residents.
Limbert said Mangwanani management was shocked and horrified by the incident, and sincerely apologised for the ordeal the guests went through.
“We are all so disturbed by what each and everyone involved endured, and will do whatever possible to support and assist them to try to alleviate some of the trauma,” Limbert said.
Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for the Douglasdale police confirmed that the incident was reported to the Douglasdale police and said there were no leads in finding the suspects as yet.
Do you know anyone who was affected by this incident? Let Fourways Review know in the comments below.
