My family and I spent a wonderful day at the Pretoria Zoo on Sunday, 27 October 2013. When we arrived, the inside parking was full, so we had to park on the street. Two make shift car guards "showed" us where to park and said they would look after our car. When we left the Zoo exit (where the photo's are exhibited) we were bombarded by shady and unwelcome people selling all sorts of things, begging etc. This IN the Zoo parking area. Once we got outside and made our way to our vehicle, and whilst strapping our kids into their car seats, we were apprehended by 6-8 black men with knives. Robbed of absolutely EVERYTHING and had knives held to us infront of our children. They stood on the runner board of the car and leaned right over the children to look for any more valuables they could find. Very happy to be alive and safe, but very traumatised at the same time! There was NO VISIBLE SECURITY FROM THE INSIDE PARKING AREA OF THE ZOO TO OUTSIDE. I just feel that if parking is limited inside, security guards should be available for those having to park on the street OR AT LEAST SIGN BOARDS WARNING PEOPLE should be erected around the outside of the zoo. WILL NOT GO THERE AGAIN IN MY LIFE.
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