A distraught senior citizen and successful businesswoman, Maria Setai (70), from Spruitview, runs different taverns in Kathorus and is still shocked following her house being robbed on March 9.
During an interview with Kathorus MAIL 12 days after the incident, Setai said: “It feels like the incident had just happened.” She added the failed robbery left her daughter, Nthabiseng Dikgale (39), hospitalised due to four gunshots to her lower body on the day.
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Setai said on the day of the incident she forgot to lock the safety gate at the kitchen door. As a result, two male suspects, aged between 20 and 24, entered and found her with her nine-year-old grandchild in their living room, watching videos on their cellphones.
One of the suspects pulled out a gun, pointed it at them and told them to keep quiet because they had no intention of hurting them. They only wanted money.
Fearing for their lives, Setai pleaded for her grandchild’s life and promised them she was going to give them all the money (about R1 700) she had.
“My daughter, the mother to my grandchild, came from her bedroom not knowing what was happening in the living room. As soon as they paid attention to her I managed to escape and lock myself in my bedroom and tried to call my neighbours and the police for help,” Setai said.
She said she regrets leaving her daughter and grandchild behind because as soon as she started dialling one of the neighbours’ numbers she heard gunshots being fired five times.
“I had no choice but to come out and try to protect my children. As soon as I came out I realised the suspects had already run away. They did not get a cent, but, unfortunately, my daughter suffered four gunshot wounds, three in one leg and one in another leg. The fifth shot missed and hit the couch,” said Setai.
She said Dikgale was sent to Union Hospital for treatment and later to Auckland Park for rehabilitation, where she will spend five weeks to undergo physiotherapy as she struggles to walk.
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Setai used the unfortunate incident to warn business people to make tighten their home security. She said what happened to her she does not wish on her worst enemy.
Communications officer at Katlehong SAPS Capt Mega Ndobe said a house robbery case was registered at Katlehong SAPS and is being investigated by a specialised unit from the Ekurhuleni West Cluster.
“No arrest has been made, but the police are busy with the investigation,” said Ndobe.
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