Robin Pieters recounts harrowing smash-and-grab ordeal in Elsies River
Robin Pieters sustained injuries in smash-and-grab incident while heading to a rehearsal.
Image: Supplied
Cape Town musician Robin Pieters survived a harrowing ordeal on Thursday in Elsies River when he sustained bruised ribs in a smash-and-grab incident.
The singer and songwriter took to social media explaining that he was on his way to rehearsals when he was accosted by a thief who stole his iPhone.
Pieters explained: “On my way to rehearsal, while looking at the directions on my phone to Salome’s home, I experienced something intense, a smash-and-grab in Elsies River.
“In that moment, a young man took my phone, and instinct took over.
“I ran after him across a school field, fell, and injured my ribs. I’m in contact with my doctor and monitoring things closely.
“When I reached the flats where he ran, the people there were incredibly kind. They told me gently but firmly to leave because it was dangerous.
“That moment stayed with me. I’m not angry. I come from the Cape Flats and I understand it.
“And that’s why it hurts to see how desperation can push someone to this point.”
Pieters shared another video explaining that he drove through Elsies River - known as a notorious smash-and-grab hotspot - to reach his pal, Salome Damons-Johansen’s home.
He added: “People are asking why I ran after the phone; the phone is very expensive and me baby I’m from the ghetto and I don’t leave things just like that, it’s instinct for me, it happened before, I go for you.”
When the Cape Argus sister publication, Daily Voice reached out to Pieters, he explained that he cannot share any more information as he does not want to hinder the investigation.
He added: “There is nothing more I can say and the stuff that I can say, I can’t say because they are busy investigating and they’re on top of them so I don’t want to give their game away .
“The police have a strategic plan in place so I don’t want to say too much but I am OK, I just bruised ribs but I’m good.”