Woman tells of horror ordeal at hands of armed robbers

A SYDENHAM woman cried yesterday after recounting how she was tied up and robbed at knifepoint last August.

Debbie Rademeyer, 38, was testifying in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court against two men who allegedly attacked her in her Wilcox Street home.

When the court took a short adjournment she took a seat in the public gallery, covered her face with her hands and cried openly as the two accused, Kholekile “Siya” Majija, 22, and Sinethemba Whyne, 23, were led out of the courtroom to their holding cell.

Their co-accused, Sive Cira, was earlier released on bail and has not reported to court since. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Before the adjournment, Rademeyer told the court how Majija had worked at their home for a month.

Two weeks before the incident, he brought Whyne and Cira to help him dig a hole for a swimming pool.

“My husband had left to take our kids to school and I was in the house when I heard Siya calling me.

“When I got to the door, Siya was standing just inside the door.

“Suddenly another man came in. He grabbed me . . . He wore gloves and put one hand over my mouth, pulling my head back. With the other hand, he grabbed my arm and I could not get away,” Rademeyer said softly.

A third man then came in, handed Majija a knife, and the three led her through the house to her bedroom, where she was tied up with cable ties.

Rademeyer said the men then went through the house, getting away with goods including jewellery and cash to the value of almost R100 000.

“By the time I managed to free myself and press the panic button, there was no one else in the house.”

Both Majija and Whyne say they were never at the house on the day of the robbery. Majija admits working for the Rademeyers from time to time, but says he was with family in New Brighton on the day of the incident.

The trial continues next month.