South African Woman's Inspiring Message After Being Assaulted Outside Durban Bakery: “We Need To Stand Up”

• The woman who was attacked in KwaZulu-Natal in a viral video shared her experience with Briefly News
• In an interview, she offered more details about her ordeal and how it started inside the shop
• She also mentioned that she would not permit the incident to prevent her from living her life to the fullest

Caroline Michael refuses to be a victim of crime or be defined by criminal activity. She was recently attacked outside a bakery in Durban and has spoken out about what happened that day.

Attack victim shares details about incident

Michael told Briefly News that the incident that saw her attacked by an unknown man happened on Monday, 21 August. Her video trended on social media, mainly because of how slow the bystanders reacted to the incident.

According to Caroline, she remembers the day vividly and recalled that the incident’s build-up started in the shop.

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Two of the assailant’s accomplices were in the shop with her and they tried to engage her in conversation. She ignored them as she had a creepy feeling. When Caroline stepped outside, she looked down for a moment to unlock her car and that’s when it happened.

“I was attacked from my blind side and it seems like they followed me because they knew where the cameras were. He was quite aggressive, and although he took the phone, I didn’t understand what he was trying to do because, at some point, I felt like he was trying to grab me and pick me up off the ground. A lot was happening in the moment,” she said.

Caroline, who owns Innovation Hair Company, said that a couple assisted her after the ordeal. They stayed with her the entire time and even drove her home as she was in a state.

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She opened a case with the police and was informed that one of the guys was caught and arrested. Caroline said that she refuses to let what happened dampen her spirits.

“I was not expecting it to happen in broad daylight because it was not busy, and this creates a particular fear because you think you’re in a safe and familiar place.

“This will not deter me from returning and empowering that shop. Crime is everywhere, and the criminals want us to create fear and prevent us from supporting small businesses, but as small businesses, we need to stand up.

“I refuse to be handicapped and held hostage by what happened to me. If I allowed that to happen, they would have stolen not only my belongings but my power too. This message is for every woman who is a crime victim: put on your make-up, put your clothes on and start living life as best as you can,” she told Briefly News.

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She recently posted a video of herself on her TikTok account, feeling upbeat.

Netizens shower her with messages of positivity

South Africans were glad she was okay.

Kimmi.14.C said:

"It's just sad how people watched you getting robbed before they actually helped you."

AllySingh remarked:

"I saw this video, and what struck me the most was no one comforting you."

Rekha remarked:

"Thank God you're alive. I'm so sorry that you went through this. Be brave and keep strong. I'm sending you healing thoughts."

Zenobia Conradie sympathised.

"God be with you. He will stand by you always. Stay strong."

ATM bombing linked to cops

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that an ATM was bombed in Gauteng in Ekurhuleni and it ended in a shootout.

South Africans believe that the South African Police Service must have been involved in the crime because it happened close to a police station.

Source: Briefly News