Devious maids: domestic worker assists robbers to steal employer’s valuables

A Pinetown employer was left stunned last week after their domestic worker allegedly collaborated with two house robbers, assisting them in gaining access to the family home and stealing valuable electronic items.

Adding to the shock was the subsequent revelation that the domestic worker willingly went to the police station to report a case of house robbery, falsely claiming to be a victim of the incident herself.

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 However, according to police reports, surveillance footage from neighbouring houses provided a different perspective, showing the domestic helper willingly opening the driveway gate for the two individuals, allowing them unrestricted entry to the property.

Stolen TV set

Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, explained that the incident unfolded last week when the employer came home that evening only to find that their TV set was missing. Upon questioning the domestic helper, who was left in the house at the time, Netshiunda told that the helper explained that she was outside, hanging clothes on the washing line when she heard a noise coming from inside the house.

“She alleged that when she went to investigate, she saw a man carrying a TV set. She also claimed that she saw another suspect breaking the driveway gate and that the man stole jewellery and robbed her of her cellphone before fleeing from the scene in a silver vehicle,” he said.

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The helper was thereby taken by the employer to the police station to report the incident.

“However, meticulous police investigation, including the review of surveillance footage, revealed a different story to the one she told,” he added.

Voluntarily opening driveway gate

Netshiunda confirmed that the footage clearly captured the domestic worker deliberately cooperating with the two individuals involved in the robbery. By voluntarily opening the driveway gate, she enabled the perpetrators to enter the premises without any resistance.

The domestic helper has since been charged and arrested. Police confirmed via an official statement that she appeared in court on Thursday for perjury.

“Police are appealing to community members not to collude with criminals and later open false cases. Resources and time that is spent in investigating fabricated cases could be invested into serving and protecting the residence of the province,” Netshiunda concluded.