Armed gangsters robbed two Tanzanians and a Briton of all personal effects at the Jan Smuts airport here on Monday last week, shortly after the trio had arrived for the International Food Organisation (FAO) conference.

Witnesses said the thugs executed the raid in a style that caught many people at the airport by surprise and the incident was later reported to a nearby police station.

The Tanzanian victims of the robbery were identified as Health and Social Welfare ministry officials Donald Chawe (Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare) and Flora Nyagawa (welfare officer) as well as Family Health International�s Senior Children Affairs official Jasmine Baghdelah.

The Briton, whose name could not be obtained immediately, is understood to be an official with the United Nations Children�s Fund (UNICEF) in Tanzania.

Narrating the ordeal, Chawe, Baghdelah and Nyagawa said their plane touched down at around 7pm that fateful Monday and their host, who was at the airport, advised them to change some of their money at the airport bureau de change.

They explained that they were a bit hesitant at first but they finally obliged.However, as they were being driven to their hotel soon after, a saloon car hit their car at the front and blocked it.

Within the blink of an eye, four armed bandits emerged and ordered them at gunpoint to hand over everything they had.
The bandits conducted a thorough check, beginning with the two ladies, robbing them of everything.

Baghdelah said when Chawe`s turn came, he resisted and that is when one of the robbers ordered that he be shot.

At that point, a gun was directed at his hips and the two ladies advised him to obey the order.

The bandits then sped away.Police on patrol, who apparently were not far from the scene, soon emerged but the most they did was to direct them to a nearby police station where they recorded statements.

To the four visitors` surprise, the police told them that ordeals like the one they had gone through were a common scenario in South Africa and it would be a waste of time trying to make a follow-up on the bandits.

The drama ended with the four heading to the hotel where they were booked. The following morning, they were visited and consoled by UN officials.

Later, the FAO meeting coordinators supplied them with cash, while the Tanzanian envoy to South Africa issued them with travel documents.

Following the incident, Baghdelah issued this note: I warn Tanzanian women going to South Africa never to carry along jewellery to avoid facing a similar ordeal. Also, never change your currency at the airport and make sure you are very familiar with your host.

According to International Police (Interpol) statistics, South Africa is among the ten countries in the world where the incidence of crime is at its highest.

Source: Guardian