Baby boy, mother gagged during KZN home invasion
It is alleged that the perpetrators demanded valuables and threatened to kill the couple’s baby if their demands were not met.
The relevant authorities at the scene of the crime.
A Kharwastan woman and her eight-month-old son were allegedly tied and gagged while her husband was severely beaten by armed robbers, who gained entry into their home by jumping over a wall in the early hours of Wednesday morning, reports Rising Sun Chatsworth.
Communications officer of the eThekwini Inner South Cluster Cpt Cheryl Pillay said a case of house robbery was under investigation at the Chatsworth SAPS.
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“During the early hours of Wednesday morning, while a family was asleep at their home in Kharawastan, armed suspects entered their home. It is alleged that the family was tied up before their home was ransacked. The suspects fled with the complainant’s motor vehicle, as well as household items. The vehicle was later recovered in Umlazi,” confirmed Cpt Pillay.
Sivan Subramodey from Amawele Emergency Services said he responded to the incident and found the couple in severe shock.
“The man had been beaten and we had to give both the husband and the wife oxygen. The man had suffered an asthmatic attack following the traumatic ordeal,” he said.
It is alleged the perpetrators demanded valuables and threatened to kill the couple’s baby if their demands were not met.
Chatsworth police issued the following safety hints:
- Due to the weather conditions in KZN, residents are leaving their windows and doors open. If you live in a double or triple storey building, ensure that you secure your property. Criminals are opportunists who will enter the property to commit a crime.
- Adequate lighting around the perimeters of your home will deter most criminals.
- Trim shrubs around the doors, windows, and entrances so they cannot conceal intruders and attackers.
- Police encourage residents to activate their alarms and use mechanisms available to safeguard their properties.
- An important light source in your area is the street lighting provided by your local municipality. Notify the electricity department if the lights in your neighbourhood are faulty. A door offers the simplest way to enter and exit a home/ business and the most convenient route to use when removing property. Make sure it has strong quality locks and is protected by strong quality gates.
- Burglars will look for open windows, as they do not like breaking glass. Keep your windows closed unless they are properly protected. Check that the fixed glass pane sections of your window are also protected or covered by security products such as burglar guards.
- Keep records of serial numbers and photographs of household items, jewellery etc. This will assist police with identification purposes and investigations.
Anyone who can assist police with the investigation is urged to contact Chatsworth SAPS on 031 451 4267 or 031 451 4208. Residents can also call Crime Stop on 08 600 10111.
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