A GROUP of eight aspiring photographers attending a workshop outside the museum at the Mariannhill Monastery was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday, 8 April.
According to Rory Baker, who was one of the robbery victims, four men in a white Mercedes (NU registration) drove up to them.
Three men armed with 9mm pistols got out the vehicle and began to shout at the camera club members.
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Linda Scott, another member of the group said they had no time to react as they were completely taken by surprise in the alleyway between the museum and another building doing portrait shots.
“They came out shouting “Don’t look at us, we will f@#*ing kill you” and were demanding watches, jewellery etc.”
“They took all our cameras and photographic equipment, cellphones, wallets, car keys, rings and watches. It all happened in a very short space of time. All the while they were waving their guns around,” said Scott.
Scott who lives in Pinetown said at one stage, they made her husband go and stand near Rory, holding a gun at his back while they did so.
Church was coming out and there were passersby walking through the alleyway and they seemed unaware of what was taking place. She added that once they had everything they turned and ran back to their vehicle, where the driver was waiting and fled the scene.
“We were robbed, all our camera gear (collectively about R500 000) plus our car keys, wallets, rings, watches and phones. Fortunately no one was physically hurt. Distraught and traumatised yes,” said Baker.
Scott said one of the photographers called 10111 on a borrowed cellphone and she used another to call the Hatton Estate Neighbourhood Watch. SAPS responded and a case was opened at Mariannhill SAPS.
HENW patrollers, Rob Leask and Adam Bowen responded, and assisted with calling tow trucks, following up with SAPS and calling ER24 for trauma debriefing.
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Baker thanked Fr Lawrence Kansalu Mota and Brother Albert of the Mariannhill Monastery for their assistance and comfort to the group.
He added that a lot of camera equipment was stolen, all Canon and Nikon bodies with a host of lenses and accessories. Baker provided a shortlist of some of his equipment that was stolen but said the list will surely grow as other members recalled their items that was stolen.
If anyone sees camera equipment been offered for sale at second-hand shops and the seller is not “a photographer” please notify Linda Scott on 081 476 1314 or contact her for a list of items that was stolen.
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