TV presenter hit by crime - again

2008-09-03 09:32

André Damons

Johannesburg - The smile with which she greets the country each morning is slowly but surely fading - because of crime, says TV personality Leanne Manas.

Manas was at her regular coffee shop in Northcliff, Johannesburg at about 14:45 on Saturday afternoon, when 15 armed men robbed it and two other shops.

Manas, a co-presenter of SABC2's Morning Live show, was sitting with her best friend at Olivia's Confectionary & Coffee Shop when the robbers struck. Her friend, whose name Manas did not want to reveal, was wounded during the robbery.

The robbers, who were armed with pistols, divided into three groups and simultaneously robbed the Impala Fruit & Veg City, Impala Flora Centre and Olivia's Confectionary & Coffee Shop. One of the robbers was shot dead by a customer in the coffee shop as they fled while firing shots.

Won't keep quiet about crime

"We just quickly wanted to get something to eat. We don't live in a war zone but it feels like it. I greet the nation each morning with a smile and I do it with pride. But what happened on Saturday is horrible. I lay there and couldn't believe I was going through this again. It was very traumatic. These people are aggressive and will kill you without feeling anything," she said.

Manas was a victim of crime in October 2007 when four men overpowered her at her Northcliff home and robbed her. They fled with money, a laptop, her cellphone as well as other goods.

She said all the feelings from the first robbery came back and would now always stay with her. She was reminded of it every time she read about similar cases in the news or when she did an interview with someone.

Manas told on Tuesday how she put her hand on her friend's gun shot wound and waited for the shooting to end. When it was over, she immediately called the rescue services.

"I tried to feel where she was shot, but I couldn't lift my head as they were shooting and I was scared they would hit me. I just kept my hand on the wound and hoped I was doing the right thing."

She said she would remain positive about the country and would continue to speak well of it, but would not keep quiet about crime. According to her, good leaders were necessary to take back the country from criminals.

Police spokesperson Captain John Maluleke said no one had been arrested yet and police were still searching for suspects.

- Beeld