While wedding celebrations are perceived to be a couple's commitment to everlasting love, filled with blessings from family and friends, a local groom faced a harrowing experience - being held at gun point for his possessions - en route to a celebratory event, ahead of his wedding.
The unsuspecting groom, Zayaan Dawood (23), was on his way to attend Mendhi celebrations at the bride’s home on Lombardi Avenue, Raslouw, on Saturday evening, March 10, when the unfortunate incident unfolded. The groom's cousin, Farhaad Carrim, who is a member of the Centurion Concerned Citizens group, in the fight against local crime, spoke to the Laudium Sun about the ordeal. “At around 8:15pm, on that awful evening, we were on our way to the function and I was driving with the groom, on Lombardi Avenue.
Just then, a white Golf 7 GTI stopped in front of our vehicle and two armed thugs jumped out demanding our valuables, while another two thugs remained in their car. The criminals who approached us, pointed their handguns at us, whilst making threats.
We gave them our cell phones and wallets, but the greedy hoodlums also grabbed our watches, before speeding off. Imagine experiencing this during your wedding celebrations! It left a really shocking memory of a day that should've been so joyful for Zayaan,” Farhaad said despondently.
“Raslouw residents really need to be more wary so that they can take a stand against the spiralling crime in our area.” Farhaad continued, “It's getting completely out of hand now. Many of these criminals are armed with some 'serious' guns and they are specifically known for theft of cash and expensive watches. Who of us can truly say that we are armed to protect ourselves against them when they strike again? No one is safe around here,” Farhaad concluded.
The Wierdabrug Police Station confirmed that a case of armed robbery was opened and investigations are underway.
The area on Lombardi Avenue where the groom Zayaan was accosted by armed thugs on his way to Mendhi celebrations.
After the ordeal... stunning couple, Zayaan Dawood and Azraa Kazi of Raslouw, on their wedding day, Saturday, March 17.