Cape Town - After a violent robbery left a Dutch-Thai couple stranded in Cape Town without their passports and €9 000 (R176 000) in cash, Cape Argus readers have opened their hearts to the couple who pleaded for help to get back home.
Local residents, together with Law Enforcement officials, have since reached out to see how they can assist, while it was confirmed the couple were travelling to Pretoria on Wednesday to meet with embassy officials.
The 71-year-old man from Amsterdam and his partner, 57, from Thailand, were robbed while sightseeing in the Cape Town CBD on Monday.
The couple lodged a criminal complaint with police at the Cape Town Central Police Station and SAPS spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed that a 37-year-old suspect was arrested after the €9 000, their passports and jewellery were taken.
The couple were staying at a Stellenbosch guest house and were assisted by worker, Latoyah Visagie.
The male tourist told the Cape Argus, while speaking Dutch, that they only had one desire, and that was to get back home, as they were not too concerned about their assets taken.
Visagie said she had asked the couple to store their belongings in their safe at the guest house prior to their departure to Cape Town on Monday.
She explained the male tourist had managed to meet with the German Embassy while the woman needed to be in Pretoria.
Visagie on Wednesday night said that in the interim, the couple managed to reach the Thai Embassy telephonically, which provided them with the necessary documentation for re-application of the woman’s passport.
Visagie said she emailed a copy of the Cape Argus article as a supporting document to the embassy, as the story assisted greatly in raising their plight as an emergency with the embassy.
“We spoke with the officer from Law Enforcement and provided the SA number of the couple if they can assist them,” she said.
“They are on their way to Pretoria and I made them an appointment for Monday.
“I also provided an incident report on what happened and the police report and a copy of the woman's passport as there is a copy on her cellphone.
“Another person, a member of the public also made contact asking if they can assist the couple, if they needed anything.”
The couple were also placed in touch with Law Enforcement officials and Cape Town Tourism.
* Anyone with further information related to the matter can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or 021 467 8001.