A Kempton Park father and husband suffered a broken knee-cap following an armed robbery involving him and his family.
Steve Bronkhorst (56) was driving home with his wife Tracy (46) and their 14-year-old daughter Chanté on the night of April 11.
They were returning from visiting Bronkhorst’s mother-in-law in Bonaero Park when they came to a stop at the intersection on Dann Road, where the road turns off to Pomona Road.
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Bronkhorst was driving while his wife sat in the passenger seat. Their daughter was in the back seat behind Bronkhorst.
“It must have been about between 7.30pm and 8pm when we stopped at a red robot by that intersection. While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, I suddenly heard a very loud bang on my side of the window,” Bronkhorst said.
“When I turned to look, a guy was banging on the window with his gun and shouting for me to get out of the car.”
Unsuccessful, the armed man then grabbed a rock and threw it at the window.
“But it still did not break.”
At the same time, a second man appeared on Tracy’s side and did the same to the passenger window. Also realising that the gun was not working to break the window, he grabbed an even bigger rock and threw it at the window.
“I think because my wife’s window was slightly open, the rock actually broke through and flew into the car.”
The armed man then proceeded to grab Tracy and tried pulling her out of the window and hitting her at the same time.
“In the meantime, I tried to put the car into gear and speed off. But I hadn’t realised that the huge rock had actually hit me on my left knee and I couldn’t move my leg. But then miraculously my wife managed to somehow, while being attacked by that guy, to put the car into gear and we sped off.”
The gunmen managed to steal some valuables out of the car.
The family drove straight to the hospital as Tracy was bleeding from the injuries on her face and chest. She had X-rays done and given medication.
Bronkhorst, however, was admitted to hospital that night for a broken knee cap and had an operation the next day. He is still at home recovering and walking on crutches. Doctors estimated it would take about six weeks to heal.
Bronkhorst said his family, particularly his wife, was still traumatised following the incident.
Kempton Park SAPS spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, confirmed that a case of armed robbery is being investigated by detectives.
“No arrests have been made yet. If anyone has information, please contact us on 011 393 8600, 08600 10111 or send an SMS to 32211 .
