By Justice Zhou.
Johannesburg. (News Of The South) -A top Zimbabwean Afro-jazz singer is struggling to come to terms after she was mugged in broad daylight last week while in South Africa.
Edith WeUtonga Katiji was accosted by six men and robbed of a cell phone and some cash on Saturday afternoon at Small Street Mall in Johannesburg.
Her attackers threatened to kill her if she resisted and were likely to be fellow Zimbabweans as they spoke in Shona and Ndebele languages, she said.
“I feel so violated and traumatised. I have never been mugged before, let alone in such a confrontational manner,” she told News of the South yesterday.
“I pleaded with the guys to let me go in our languages but that didn’t deter them. That’s when one of them grabbed my phone and money and left me in shock, it all happened in a flash.”
Katiji said she could not manage reporting the case because there were no police around and was in a hurry to catch a bus to Zimbabwe.
She recalled: “I had picked up (bought) some stuff for my kids. I was headed to Park Station for check in with an InterCape bus that was leaving at 2pm.”
“That’s when I noticed two young men behind me at 13.15 pm as I hurried across Small Street. They were too close for comfort, and before I knew it, two others were in front. One was already opening my backpack, and I realised they were about six.”
The ordeal comes as the multi-talented bass guitarist and music teacher is still recovering from a tragic car accident which nearly claimed her life in 2009.
Katiji has led the Harare-based Utonga band since 2010.She started her career in 2000 at Amakhosi Township Square, Bulawayo, as part of a project which groomed women to become band leaders and musicians.
Reacting to the news of her mugging on Facebook, close friends and the music fraternity expressed shock and disgust.
Renowned music author Professor Fred Zindi, posted: “So it’s true, Zimbabweans are robbing Zimbabweans in SA? What a shame. Cry the beloved country!
R&B singer Cindy Munyavi said: “I am so sorry Edith.”
Lynette Manzini, a freelance journalist, said: I am sorry about the incident. Glad you okay though, you can replace a phone but I can’t replace my Edith WeUtonga Katiji.”
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