Johanna Makgalemele warns travellers after being robbed at a Spanish airport

"Be careful out there when you are travelling."

These are the words of socialite and businesswoman Johanna Makgalemele, sister of Basetsana Kumalo.

Recently, she took to Instagram to warn fellow travellers after experiencing a traumatic incident where her valuables were stolen at an airport in Spain.

Makgalemele recounted her ordeal, stating, "I was robbed in Spain at the airport while trying to weigh my bags. My backpack, which was on top of my trolley, was stolen in less than a minute. What followed was a whirlwind week straight out of a chaotic travel thriller. It's been a week from hell!"

The businesswoman described the aftermath of the theft, saying, "I’ve been piecing my life back together - reinstalling apps, recovering data, cancelling credit cards, and replacing my stolen phone. 

"Talk about stress on steroids! Being stranded in a foreign country with no passport, no phone, and no money is the kind of nightmare that tests your soul."

She continued, "Getting on a flight without an ID? That’s a saga of its own! I had to buy a new ticket (assisted by TWF) to get to the embassy in Madrid so they could issue me an emergency passport to get back home. You cannot travel onward on your journey!"

Makgalemele highlighted that this ordeal opened her eyes to the raw struggle of being stuck abroad, penniless, with no lifeline.

"It made me realise how many people struggle when stranded in foreign countries without money to rescue them from such situations."

Fortunately, she was able to return home, obtain a new passport, and apply for a new Schengen Visa, allowing her to later continue her travel engagements in Europe.

In her heartfelt message, she expressed gratitude to those who supported her during this difficult time.

"To everyone who knew and sent prayers, encouragement, or a kind word, thank you from the depths of my heart. From Spain to Johannesburg, strangers and friends alike showed me incredible kindness that carried me through. I’ve been quiet, but I’m back, stronger and forever grateful."

The incident sparked a conversation among her followers, with many sharing their own experiences of theft while travelling.

@jo_rue_machuma commented, "Shame, what a nightmare! I was almost robbed in a small town in France on an electric scooter. I ran after the bloke, and thank God people reacted, and he dropped my bag. I learned a lesson that day: no country is safe, darling 🙏🏽💞."

@misssonto_ shared, "So sorry about your experience. I also lost a whole 23 kg bag at the Spain Airport in Mallorca last year. It was a nightmare; I lost so many valuable items. I have learned the hard way to travel very light. So sorry, it’s really traumatic 🤗."

@bajabulile added, "Europe is becoming a nightmare when it comes to this. I had a very similar experience in Paris. Please travel safely and be vigilant."

While @jjbeck48 remarked, "Barcelona is Hillbrow now. We were just there on Monday, and we saw someone get robbed. Luckily, it was crowded, and he got caught by the public."

In recent times, Spain has seen an uptick in pickpocketing in the country's tourist hotspots. 

Crowded metro stations, bus stops, and train stations are prime targets. 

Areas bustling with tourists, including beaches and neighbourhoods with narrow streets, are also known to have pickpockets. 

There's an ongoing warning about increased pickpocketing and theft in various tourist areas across Spain, especially in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Benidorm, and Mallorca.

Common tactics include distraction in crowded places such as public transport and popular tourist sites, so travellers should keep valuables secure, be vigilant, and avoid displaying wealth.