A GARDENER and domestic worker were held up at gunpoint at their place of work in Philamere Avenue, Glenmore, by four men who proceeded to rob the home.
According to Captain Pumzile Makaula of Umbilo Police, the gardener reported that while he was working in the garden, and the domestic worker was inside the house, a white Hyundai had pulled up and parked in front of the gate.
“The gardener said there were four men in the car and they pressed the intercom. He went to find out what they wanted. The men allegedly took out a water meter reader and told the gardener they were there to do a reading.”
“The gardener opened the gate and accompanied one of the men to the water meter. After reading the meter and returning to the vehicle the man pulled out a gun and allegedly pushed the gardener into the house,” she said.
The gardener and domestic worker were forced into the lounge by one of the men who held them at gunpoint while the other three searched the home.
“They took the domestic worker and gardener’s cellphones, a video camera, safe and a green bag and then jumped into their vehicle and fled,” she said.
Makaula urged residents to ensure domestic workers at home were wary of criminal elements and had a security check plan in place before allowing anyone onto the property.
In another incident, a man in Simphiwe Zuma Road had gone to bed on Tuesday night after activating his alarm. He left one window which had a burglar guard, slightly open.
“The man awoke around 3.50am to the sound of breaking glass. He went to check on the noise and noticed the window in the study had been broken and someone was in the house. A laptop was missing,” she said.
The man, together with his son investigated further and spotted a man climbing out the window. The panic button was activated and security arrived and searched the garden and discovered the suspect who was arrested on burglary charges.
Captain Makaula has urged residents to be extra vigilant in the lead up to the festive season as criminals become especially devious in committing crimes.
