Fishermen grapple with robbers on rocks

TWO eManzimtoti fishermen got the shock of their lives when robbers attacked them on the rocks while they were fishing.

One of them, Gawie Pretorius, 35, a self-employed businessman, and his friend, 25, a mechanic, who asked not to be named, had been fishing at Winklespruit Beach on the South Coast on Wednesday night.

Pretorius said they had left some of their bags containing fishing gear on the sand nearby. Although they were standing on a rock, Pretorius said at a glance it would seem they were sitting down because of a ledge behind them.

“Three guys jumped on us from behind. They did not realise we were standing. The momentum carried them over us and they landed on the floor at out feet. We began to grapple with them until we realised they had knives and a baton,” he said.

Pretorius broke away from the men who had pinned his friend on the rocks and were searching him for valuables. Pretorius saw a fourth person emptying the contents of their bags on to the ground.

The men on the rocks were trying to grab Pretorius and pull him closer.

“There was not much we could do. They took one phone, a cap and wallet. They left my car keys behind.

“When the ordeal was over, we packed up and left. It was then I realised that I had been stabbed. We were left with bruises from being beaten with a stick,” he said.

Pretorius had six stitches to his wound. Both men have swelling from bruises on their arms and back. They have not yet reported the incident to eManzimtoti police.