Two weeks' ago Fr Cristián from Argentina came to visit me. We joined the seminary together and were ordained together 25 years' ago. He told me he'd like to come to South Africa to celebrate our Silver Jubilee together.
After staying a few days' in Hlabisa we left to visit the Vicariate and some Consolata Missionaries in Madadeni. We were away for a week. On Thursday (11th) we went back to Hlabisa. We arrived at about 6 pm.
By 8 pm we went to do a few things in my room. He had worked in Mozambique and wanted to buy a ticket to go and visit the communities for a few days. We were doing that when three armed men came into my room. My room is attached to the priests' house but has an independent entrance.
They told us to lie down and they tied us with our own belts. From then on they kept on asking for money and where the safe was.
They took the computer, cellphone, my wallet with my driving license and debit/credit cards, some cash I had been given by one of the Missions we visited, clothes and other things. They put everything in a suitcase. They asked for the keys of the vehicle and left.
Once we were sure they were gone we went to see if the priests had been hurt but they had never gone into the house. It seemed then clear that they knew "who" they were looking for. They never talked to my friend either, only to me.
We then reported this to the police (who is just next door to the Mission) and dealt with the consequences... block the cell number, the cards, called the tracking system, apply for a new license, insurance...
I travel most of the time visiting the communities so I basically have a "mobile office". The vehicle was a 4/4 which allowed me to visit all the communities of the Vicariate. So, things will be more difficult for a while. I'm trying my best not to cancel any of my commitments but it is not always easy. Already I had to cancel a meeting of the executive of the Vicariate Pastoral Council as I was still dealing with paper work.
Everyone in the Vicariate felt shocked at the news and has been contacting the priests for information (I was not reachable...!). They are grateful we were not hurt or killed. We are grateful to everyone for their love, concern and prayer. The priests keep on phoning to see if we are OK after what happened.
The police immediately suspected of a person who in the past lived in the premises of the Church and was involved in one of our projects. He and others were caught during the weekend.
For some reason (something went wrong after the robbery) they decided to burn the vehicle which was found two days' later. I'm not sure if and what else has been recovered.
Twenty five years' ago, with Fr Cristián (we were deacons at that time) we faced a similar situation when seven armed men broke into the seminary and kept all the community at gunpoint for an hour.
I heard today of a similar situation at Centocow though more violent that ours.
God bless you all,
+ José Luis IMC
