A NEW Germany pre-school childminder, Princess Nxumalo’s house was damaged when criminals crashed into her home in Molweni.
Nxumalo looked after her grandmother for many years before she passed away three years ago and stays alone in her granny’s home.
“It was Tuesday, 6 August when I arrived at home to find people surrounding the house and a neighbour explained what happened and I just started crying as a big chunk of the house was damaged,” she said.
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Nxumalo’s neighbours accommodated her for few days after the incident but she recently moved back into the house.
“I have relatives who are trying to help but they also do not have much so we managed to cover the damage with some material but there is wind coming in and I am very scared as the makeshift cover is not strong,” she said.
Principal of the Nightingales Day Care and Pre-School, Nicky Nel, who contacted the Highway Mail about Nxumalo’s unfortunate situation, said she is very concerned about Nxumalo’s safety.
“We are pleading with any businesses or individual who can assist her with building material. Nxumalo has been working at the school for 10 years now and is a very good person, I really hope someone can help her. I was hoping to start a GoFundMe page but I do not know how to,” said Nel.
Hillcrest SAPS communications officer, Capt Linzi Smith said it is alleged that at about 2pm on Tuesday, 6 August, four men travelling in a Suzuki sedan attempted to break into the house in the Waterfall area by forcing open the lounge doors.
“A neighbourhood watch member patrolling the area witnessed the incident and responded. The suspects then drove off towards the Molweni area and the member gave chase.”
Smith said during the chase, a suspect who was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle fired a gunshot in the direction of the neighbourhood watch member.
According to Smith, no injuries and no damages to any property were reported, although there are photos showing a Suzuki sedan on its side against the house wall.
She said the vehicle then overturned after shots were fired. (Possibly it was then that it crashed into the house).
“The two passengers who were sitting on the back seat fled and the driver was arrested. The front seat passenger was injured and was also arrested,” explained Smith.
She added that an attempted burglary charge and a second count of attempted murder has been registered and is under investigation at present. Stolen items and a gun were recovered in the car.
Anyone who wishes to help can email the school at info@nightingalespreschool.co.za.
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