'I thought Bloem was safe'

2007-11-26 09:00

Elsje Neethling-Blair

Bloemfontein - The sound engineer of a South African singer was stabbed four times with a knife and screwdriver outside a pub in Bloemfontein.

Johan Engelbrecht, 28, sound engineer of Shane McCallaghan, 36, and better known as Shane, sies jou vark!, was robbed by six men outside a pub in Bloemfontein and left for dead.

The attack took place after a private show by Engelbrecht and McCallaghan at the Bloemfontein show grounds.

Shane, sies jou vark! is known for his anti-government and crime songs.

"We visited a pub after Friday night's performance," said Engelbrecht.

'They were too fast'

"I didn't have a lift home. I stood outside and a bakkie stopped in front of me.

"Six men got out of the bakkie and ran towards me. I wanted to run away or jump over a wall, but they were too fast."

"They surrounded me, searched my pockets and took R1 000 and my new cellphone.

"The money was my pay for the evening as well as money from CD sales.

"The next moment one of them stabbed me in the arm from behind. They threw me on the ground.

"I fought for my life. When I wanted to fight back, they stabbed me three times with a knife and screwdriver in the back," he said.

According to Engelbrecht the attackers left in the bakkie about 20 minutes later.

"I keep asking why it had to happen to me. I was lying there in my own blood until Chris Bender, one of our supporters, came to my aid.

"Chris took me to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic's emergency unit and paid my account. I am thankful.

"The doctor said one of the wounds is only 3mm from my lungs and I could have died.

"It was too dark to see the robbers' faces. I will later consider laying a charge at the police for insurance purposes," he said.

McCallaghan, who is for songs such as Die land is in sy moer and Deur die venster van 'n trein, said: "I heard about Johan when I woke up this morning. We are touring on our own and are on our way to Cradock in the Eastern Cape.

"I can't believe Bloemfontein is so unsafe.

"I'll dedicate my next song to Bloemfontein's crime!

"We are touring through many cities and towns, and in my 15 years in the music industry, nothing like this has happened before. I always thought Bloemfontein was a peaceful place, but I was wrong."

- Volksblad