American Man in Johannesburg Shocked by Organized Phone Theft in Sandton
An American man, known as Sbuda, has been openly celebrating his decision to permanently relocate to Johannesburg. Through his TikTok handle (@kajuhfaf3333), he frequently shares his love for the city, highlighting how he was able to afford a luxurious mansion that would have been out of reach in the United States. However, his excitement was recently dampened after he fell victim to a well-organized phone snatching incident in Sandton.
His video recounting the experience quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions from social media users—ranging from sympathy to lighthearted teasing.
Crime in Mzansi: A Reality Check for Newcomers
South Africa’s crime rate is no secret, and it often surprises even the most enthusiastic newcomers. Whether in a bustling township or an upscale neighborhood, staying alert is crucial. Sandton, known as one of Johannesburg’s safest and most affluent areas, is not immune to crime, and Sbuda learned that lesson the hard way.
Phone Stolen in a Flash
In his viral clip, Sbuda is seen strolling through a Johannesburg suburb with his friends as he recounts the shocking event. He explains that he was filming in front of the Leonardo Hotel in Sandton when a thief jumped out of a white Mercedes-Benz, snatched his phone, and quickly sped off before he could react.
@kajuhfaf3333 How my iPhone got snatch and grabbed in Sandton the guys pulled up in a Mercedes behind our car and waited for us to get out. Mind you we are in front of The Leonardo. We start filming doing our thing and then “Bow” this cat ran by so fast snatched the phone and jumped in a white Mercedes Benz.
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Despite chasing after the car, it was impossible to catch up. The incident left him stunned, as he had assumed Sandton was a crime-free zone.
Social Media Reacts: Welcome to Mzansi!
Mzansi netizens wasted no time reacting to Sbuda’s experience. Some playfully welcomed him as an “official citizen”, while others reminded him that crime exists everywhere. A few even jokingly suggested he move to Cape Town, claiming he wouldn’t face the same issues there.
Here’s what people had to say:
@Coolstrings 🇿🇦: “You have now passed the initiation 😂.”
@Midnight-blue💧🇿🇦🇬🇭: “Sorry bro, in these cities, you need to hide your phone. Only in townships have I seen people carry their phones freely, but I still can’t guarantee how safe that is.”
@bpatton276: “You are absolutely glowing, beautiful skin—South Africa agrees with you.”
@noxolotshabangu: “That area is very notorious for phone snatching.”
@Mrs.Edries: “Come to Cape Town, brother 🤣🤭.”
@Prince Max Sibanda: “Just go and buy another one, my brother—you have passed the test! 😅😂.”
Despite the unfortunate incident, Sbuda’s love for Johannesburg remains strong, albeit with a new level of caution.
Source: Briefly News