News Western Cape

ROBBED AT CHURCH - Godless skelms take do-gooder’s phone and bakkie at gunpoint, while fixing a leak at local kerk

Kim Swartz|Published

SAFE Portland father Roy Marsh.

Image: Facebook

A PORTLAND father who was at the right place but at the wrong time - trying fixing a leak at his church - escaped a harrowing hijacking incident as skelms stole his phone and bakkie.

Roy Marsh, another congregant and a security guard were busy fixing a leak at his church in Westridge when the incident happened on Saturday around 9.30pm.

His wife Wendy told the Daily Voice that she had warned him before leaving as the area is quite gevaarlik, but he insisted on going as there was no other person available to fix the leak.

She explained: “They were busy finishing up and standing outside the car then these guys came around the corner, searched them and popped guns. There were four guys and a getaway vehicle.

“They searched my husband, took his phone which was in the car and the other guy’s phone and wallet.

“His car was idling because he needed some light for where he was working and then they just got into the car and said they going to ‘stap now’ and then they drove off.”

The men were unharmed, however Roy’s body was sore due to the shock.

Wendy added: “They just popped the gun just in case my husband would've ruffled with them and if they did they would have been shot. 

“When he got home, I just listened and I was out of breath, because it could’ve been so much worse.”

Fortunately for Roy, he had the spare keys to the vehicle, which was later recovered after Wendy saw a post on a WhatsApp community group saying that the vehicle was abandoned in Montrose Park.

When they found the vehicle they saw that the spare tyre was stolen, along with his tools, oil, and cellphone, and the backseat windows were rolled down.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Mitchells Plain police registered a theft of motor vehicle case for investigation. According to reports the victim’s vehicle was idling when unknown suspects got into the vehicle and drove off with the vehicle.

“The vehicle was later found abandoned by the complainant. The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.”

Wendy added that the hand of Jesus was over her husband.

She said: “I am grateful that he is alive and the other guys. He was at a good place, but at the wrong time. 

“I hope one day this doesn’t happen to these guys and experience the trauma that they put other people through.”

Roy's car was found in Montrose Park after a post was shared on a WhatsApp community group.

Image: Supplied